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THE 











VALLEY. 



ITS RESOURCES, SOIL, CROP STATISTICS, CAPA- 
BILITIES, CLIMATIC INFLUENCES, MRLY 
HISTORY, DEVELOPMENT, ATTRACT- 
IONS TO SETTLERS, OPPORTUNI- 
TIES FOR MEN WITH LARGE 
OR SMALL CAPITAL, ETC. 



EDITED BY WM. P. BARTLETT. 



LIVERMORE : 'C^ C 

LIVERMORE HERALD JOB PRINTING OFFICE. 

MAIN STREET. 



1878. 



fr 




•taB 3 



[\ 



INTRODUCTION. 



The following work, as its name indicates, is intended to give reliable information to the people 

• the Pacific Coast, and the country at large, regarding tbe Livermore Valley. It has been the aim 
of its editor and contributors to give in plain, concise terms, just such particulars as it would be 
necessary for the intending immigrant to know. Nothing has been highly colored, or overdrawn, 
every statement made being backed beyond reach of doubt or contradiction, by reliable statistics, 
compiled by disinterested parties. 

The work is not intended to be historical, except so far as to show the past growth of the Valley, 
and foreshadow its future prospects. Neither is any high degree of literary merit claimed for it. 
•ts purpose can be best served by plain, straight-forward, unvarnished facts. 

Thus we send forth our little work to the world, confident that whoever may thoroughly peruse it, 
and through its influence be induced to make our beautiful little valley their home, will look back 
with pleasure to the day that drifted ite few pages within their reach. 

THE EDITOR. 



The Lrrermore Valley. 



GEOGRAPHY AND TOPOGRAPHY. 



The County of Alameda, the second in popula- 
m in California, is situated in the San Fran- 
co Basin, slightly south of east of the city of 
|.n Francisco. This Basin extends from Calistoga 
Gilroy, a distance of 120 miles from north to 
uth, and is about thirty miles in width. It is 
ained by numerous small streams, which find on 
itlet in the Bay of San Francisco. The section 
country comprised in this Basin is the richest 
the State, and the most thickly settled and im- 
oved. Alameda county lies about midway of 
is water-shed, and wholly within it. Its topo- 
aphy is extremely diversified. Between the Bay 
San Francisco and the Contra Costa range, an 
erage distance of about five miles, the country is 
ry level, with but little natural timber. The 
mtra Costa range traverses the county from 
»rthwest to southeast, and nearly parallel with 
e east shore of the Bay of San Francisco. That 
•rtion of the county east of the ridge of this 
nge. which comprises nearly two-thirds of its 
itire area, is mostly hilly or mountainous. Thus 
will be seen that in the eight hundred and odd 
jiuare miles which comprises the county of Ala- 
I eda. as great a variety of topography can be 
: und as on an equal area anywhere in the State. 
'The Townships of Alameda County are as fol- 
jw8 : Oakland, Brooklyn. Alameda, Eden, Mur- 
v, and Washington. 



MURRAY TOWNSHIP, 

ae largest in the county, is situated east of the 
i ontra Costa ridge, and has no water front. It is 
, ; shape nearly a square, contains about four 
tndred square miles of territory, and comprises 
ilf of the entire county. As nearly as can be es- 
naated, its surface is composed of mountain, 
ot-hill and valley land, as follows: 

ouutain 160 square miles. 

oot-hiils ISO " " 

illey land 50 " " 



The valleys of Murray Township are Livermore, 
Vallccitos, Snnol, Amador, Alamo, or Cotton- 
wood, and a portion of San Ramon and Tassajara. 
All of these last named are really a part of the 
Livermore Valley, or open into it. 



THE LIVERMORE VALLEY 

Is a gently sloping plain, of irregular shape, and 
completely shut in by hills and mountains. Its 
greatest length is from east to west, a distance of 
fourteen miles. Tn width it varies from four to 
eight miles. It is situated in the northern por- 
tion of the Township, and extends from its west- 
erly line about two-thirds of the distance across 
it. 

To the north, east, northeast, northwest and 
southwest of the Valley, the hills are low, gently 
rolling, and well adapted for cultivation. South, 
southeast, and west, the country is mountainous, 
and except in a few localities, valuable only for 
pasturage, and the timber with which it abounds. 
The following: table, furnished us by W. H. Wright, 
Township Assessor, shows the amount of tillable 
land, and that considered unfit for cultivation, in 
the Township, and the average assessed value of 
each, per acre: 



GRADE. 


1 NO. ACRES. 

600 


| ASSESSED 
$50 


VA 

to 


LUE. 


1st. 


$100 


2d. 


17.000 


1 20 


to 


50 


3d. 


I 05.000 


• 5 


to 


30 


4th. 


95,295 


2 50 


to 


a 



Total No. Acres.. 207,895 

[The Government land of the Township is not 
given in the above table, it not being assessable.] 
The several grades of land are desciibed as fol- 
lows: First, vegetable and orchard; second, 
grain; third, hay and grain; fourth, mountainous 
and pasture. 



WATER-COURSES: 
Murray Township is watered by numerous 
streams, nearly all of which, as throughout Call 



6 RESOURCES OF UVEftMORE YaLLEY. 



fornia, are dry during the Summer months. The 
largest of these are the Arroyo Valle, Arroyo 
Mocho, Calaveras Creek, Laguna, Los Poeitas, and 
the Tassajara and Corral Hollow Creeks. With 
the exception of the la6t named, all the above 
are tributaries to the Alameda Creek, which finds 
an outlet in the Bay of San Francisco. Of these, 
the Arroyos Valle and Mocho are the most con- 
siderable. They both rise in Santa Clara county, 
and range across the Township in a northwesterly 
direction. The former stream empties into the 
Laguna, near Pleasanton, while the latter spreads 
out and seeps into the soil a few miles to the 
northeast. The total length of the first stream is 
about thirty, and the other nearly fifty miles. The 
greater portion of this distance is through deep 
canyons, formed by high mountain ridges. The 
Positas creek drains some low laud in the east- 
ern cud of the Valley, and taking a westerly course, 
empties into the Tassajara between the towns of 
Livermore and Dublin. The Tassajara creek drains 
the Tassajara Valley — which opens from Livermore 
Valley to the north — and empties into the Laguna, 
near Pleasanton. Calaveras creek rises in Santa 
Clara county, and finds its way through deep can- 
yons into the Alameda. In the Sanol Valley, this 
last receives, through the Laguna, all the waters 
of the creeks ot the Livermore and adjoining 
valleys. Throughout the hills and mountains of 
the Township are hundreds of small streams, 
which act as feeders to those above mentioned. 
During the Winter months, all the creeks are at 
times perfect torrents, full to the bank. During 
the Summer, the larger streams, in the Valley, 
contain but little, if any water in their beds. On 
the bedrock, however, a few feet below the surface, 
water is to be found at any season of the year. 
Many of the smaller streams are never failing. 



PONDS. 
There are but three natural bodies of water in 
Murray Township. Two are small ponds, of a few 
acres each, near the east end of the Valley, and 
are sometimes dry during the Summer months. 
At the western extremity, near the foot of the 
Contra Costa range, is a tract of about fifteen hun- 
dred acres, known as the Bolsa, or the Lagoon, of 
a swampy character, and covered with a thick 
growth of willows. During the Winter season, 
most of this tract is under water. In the Summer 
months, but a few acres are covered. At all times, 
however, the soil in this section is very moist, 
water being found but a foot or two below the aur- 
fecfe 



MINERAL SPRINGS 
Abound throughout the Township. Those im- 
pregnated with white sulphur are most common, 
though there are several containing salt, alkali, 
and iron. On the ranch of J. A. Neal, near Pleas- 
anton, are a number of springs, much esteemed 
for their curative properties. One is strongly im- 
pregnated with iron and magnesia, and the re- 
mainder, with white sulphur. The water of the 
latter is very pleasant to the taste. These springs 
are much resorted to by invalids residing at 
Pleasanton for their health, and it is said with 
Yery marked and favorable effect. 



TIMBER. 
The mountain section of the Township is well 
wooded. The principal growth is white and live 
oak, though in the canyons are found the maple, 
buckeye, sycamore, Cottonwood, aider, and other 
varieties. In the valley, a belt of timber a half 
mile in width extends along the principal creeks. 
The varieties found here are mainly oak and syca- 
more. The trees are of good size, few being less 
than one, and many exceeding four feet in diame- 
ter. This timber is chiefly valuable for fuel, it 
being generally too brittle for building or mechani- 
cal purposes. The sycamore, however, has been 
used by the West Coast Furniture Manufactur- 
ing Co., of San Francisco, and has given good sat- 
isfaction. 



MINERALS. 

Of the mineral resources of Livermore Valley, 
but little is as yet known. Much prospecting has, 
from time to time, been prosecuted, but mostly by 
men oi very limited means, and without sufficient 
influence to induce capital to interest itself in the 
matter. Gold, silver, quicksilver, coal, coal oil, 
building stone, sulphur, and marble, have been 
found in the Township, but with the exception of 
coal and building stone, none of these discoveries 
have been sufficiently prospected to allow of any 
assertions as to their value. 

Some three years since, Michael Rogan, of 
Sunol, erected a derrick, and bored for oil on Jaa. 
Brown's ranch, five miles northeast of the town 
of Livermore. The indications grew more marked 
and favorable, as the work proceeded, bnt on the 
fifth day, the well not being cased, began to cave. 
As Mr. Rogan did not feel like going to the ex- 
pense of purchasing casing, the work was aban 
doned. The oil which flowed from the well was 
jet black, of a thick, sticky nature, and with a 
arnell like kerosene. Several barrels were gath- 



RESOURCES OF LIVERMORE VALLEY. 



ered, and sold in the city, in its crude state, for a 
good price. During the past Winter, the soil, in 
that vicinity, was thoroughly saturated with water, 
and numerous streams ran out of the hillside near 
where the well was bored. In the water which 
llowed from these springs, were clots of this black 
oil, in considerable quantity. This substance 
still exudes from the earth in that vicinity, 
through springs, and can be seen. floating on the 
surface of the water in large clots. Some time in 
the year 1871, James Farley, then living on his 
ranch in the eastern end of the Valley, bored a 
seven-inch well, for water. When down about 
twenty-five feet, the workmen suddenly heard a 
noise in the well, like the rushing of water. A 
volume of gas had been struck, which escaped 
from the aperture with great force. A lighted 
' match was placed over the mouth of the well, 
when the gas caught fire, and burned readily, the 
flame rising to a height of several feet. The well 
was finally filled up. Its location was about one 
mile from the Brown ranch, where the prospect- 
ing previously referred to was carried on. four 
years later. 

These facts make it apparent that oil of some 
description exists in that section, at no great dis- 
tance from the surface. Its quantity and value 
can only be determined by prospecting. 

The only stone quarry in 'practical operation, in 
the Township, is on the ranch of Edward Kiely, 
near Altaniont station. The formation is of sand- 
stone, and of excellent quality. It is mostly used 
for cemetery purposes, large quantities of it being 
shipped to San Francisco for that purpose. It 
has also been used for general building purposes. 
It has a tine, close grain, and wheu cut and 
trimmed, is very handsome. The supply is al- 
most unlimited. 

The coal deposits of the Township, and their 
development, will be treated lurther on. 



• SCENERY. 
Situated a-) is the Livermore Valley, within a 
complete circle of gently rolling hills, and high, 
abrupt, and. rugged mountains, its scenery cannot 
but bo most pleasing. Standing midway of the 
Valley, this unbroken line of mountain and hill 
bounds the entire horizon. Lofty peak, hh'h 



wooded ridge, and rolling hilltop, stand sharply 
defined against a sky of that peculiar clear, deej. 
blue only to be found in our State and clime. The 
little Valley is completely hemmed in Irom tl 
outside world, apparently without a>n avenue oi 
communication, except, over the hilltops. Steep 
mountain ridges rise from the level of the Valle; 
almost without intervening foothills, to a height 
of nearly two thousand feet. Deep wooded c 
yons, full of wild beauty, penetrate far into these 
mountain fastnesses, and down their rock-be- 
strewed beds dash littla streams, clear as crystal 
and transparent as air. 

Along the wooded creeks, in the Valley, one 
might fancy the}- were riding through a private 
English park. Immense oaks and sycamore.K 
tower overhead, their wide spreading branches, 
thickly covered with dark green foliage, form 
a natural canopy, under which one may ridt . 
miles, occasionally catching glimses, thr< 
openings, of cosy farm buildings, their clear wo ■ 
contrasting strongly with the bright vcrdiu 
the timber belt. 

A little valley near a lone mountain called Brush , 
Peak, nine miles northeast of the town of Liver- 
more, abounds in natural curiosities. Huge to'St. 
masses, some a hundred feet in height, are scj 
tered here and there, and are remarkable for bob. f . 
honey-combed with small natural caves. The rdci 
is a sandstone, and the influence of either wind or 
water, or both, has formed these caverns. 

The lover of the beautiful in Nature can sper 
many delightful days in our Valley, and the can 
yons leading from it. Here can be found ever, 

variety of scenery, from the broad bat quiet pain 
rama of valley and foothill, to the wild, rugge 
mountain canyon, hemmed in by ridges a thousand 
feet in height, and adown the bed of which, a 
times during the Winter months, rolls a torrent c 
water from ten to thirty feet in depth, carrying a, 
before it. 



POPULATION. 

There are no official figures showing the pre:; 
ent population of Murray Township. Asser , .- 
Wright, iu his statistical report, rendered re- 
cently, places it at five thousand, which is doubt- 
less very nearly correct. 



RESOURCES OF LTVERMORE VALLEY. 



SOILS. 

The geographical distribution of the soils of the 
Livermore Valley, and indeed of the entire Town- 
nip, is most curious and interesting. The Valley 
tself is nearly elliptical in form, and shows con- 
clusive evidence of having, at several different 
periods, been subjected to submersion by water. 
The distribution of soils has been largely effected 
by these watery inundations, which repeatedly 
visited the Valley, and formed of it a lake, the 
shores of which are now the surrounding foot- 
hills. The primary soils of the Valley, of which 
there are at least three, lie in oircular belts, the 
outer surrounding the second, while the third, or 
inner, forms an ellipsis, occupying the centre of 
the Valley. 

The outer belt, or ring, is a black adobe soil, 
and extends complete!} around, besides including 
a jjortion of the Valley. To the north and east, 
this belt is very extensive, and distinctive, very 
little other soil being found within it. South and *■ 
west, it is narrow, and in localities becomes either 
mixed with other soil*, or covered by them. The 
second, or middle belt, is a red. or yellowish 
clay, and extends around the Valley. On 
the eouth, it is several miles in width; 
on the east, west, and north, appears only 
In localities. This red clay, unlike most surface 
soils, is of great depth. Nearly in the centre of 
the Valley, and lying between the Positas creek 
and the Arroyo Mocho, is a gravelly loam, which 
has been deposited upon the red clay during past 
inundations of the V alley. Nearly all the arable 
land of the Township is composed of one of these 
three soils. Others, which will be described, are 
found In particular localities, and are. in nearly 
every instance, more or less made up of one 
or more of those anove mentioned. 

The adobe soil is heavy, nearly black in color, aud 
when wet of a very sticky nature. It is rich in nutri- 
tive properties, and retains its power of crop pro- 
duction much longer than lighter soils. The adobe 
of this section vanes* considerably in quality. Thai 
on the hills 16 generally much lighter than iu the 



level Valley. The heavy soil, unless in a favorabl 
condition, is difficult to work. When dry, it i 
extremely hard, and, if stirred when soaked wit 
water, becomes ruined for that season. Th 
lighter adobe is more tractable, and when we!! 
mixed with a sandy loam, which is frequently de 
posited upon it by overflows of creeks, makes a 
fine soil. Nearly three-fourths of the arable hind 
in Murray Township is of an adobe natn.ro 

The red clay soil is lighter than adobe. and far more 
tractable. It does not possess tb/j richness of the 
former soil, and does not, by ordinary methods of 
cultivation, produce as large crops. It isremark-j 



i a 



■ 



able, however, for its recuperative power, bom 
of this soil, which has been farmed since the Vaj 
ley was settled, is producing as large a crop every 
season, as at first. By a system of summer- fallow- 
ing, this soil never fails to produce a good crop. 

The gravelly loam soil, like the adobe, varies 
much in quality. In localities, the gravel is very 
thick, and the soil scant. Generally, however, it 
is fully equal, if not superior in feitility to the red 
clay. This soil succeeds best in a comparatively 
dry year. A largo amount of rain seems to pro 
duce n coldness which stunts the growth. Th 
richest soil in the Township is a heavy black 
loam, found at the western end of the Valley. It 
partake somewhat of the nature of an adobe, but 
is more mellow, and possessed of greater fertiliz- 
ing properties. 

In the mountains of the Township, the soils are 
adobe, a sort of gray shale loam, and white clay. 
The loam possesses considerable fertility, and 
will produce good crops. The clay will produce 
well for several seasons, but soon runs out. 

Every wet winter, the streams entering the Val- 
ley from the mountains and foothills, break their 
banks, aud overflow large areas of valley land, de- 
positing thereon a \ery rich, sandy loam. This 
"wash,*' as it is called, is very beneficial, espec- 
ially to heavy adobe soils, and is year by year iin- 
pro\ ing them. 



HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT. 



EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

Previous to the year 1330, there was but one real 
resident in what is now known as the Livermore 
Valley. Jose Maria Amador, a Spaniard, still living, 
settled several years previous to that time at the 
western end of the Valley, and erected an adobe 
house, on the site of the present residence of J. 
W. Dougherty. At that time, the now populous 
Valley and adjacent foothills were almost untrod- 
den by the foot of civilized man. Wild cattle, and 
still wilder human beings, roamed over the entire 
country, and held undisputed possession and 
sway. The mountains teemed with savage ani- 
mals, from the snarling wolf to the formidable 
grizzly. During that year, or the following, a 
sturdy young Englishman, one Robert Livermore, 
who had in 1829 landed on the shores of California 
at Monterey, came into this wilderness with the 
view of making himself a permanent home. He 
established himself in what is now known as the 
Sunol Valley, on the land now owned by Charles 
Hadsell. Here he resided several years, raising 
cattle, and, it is believed, cultivating the soil. 

Some time in the year 1835, Livermore, accom- 
panied by one Jose Noriega, whose acquaintance 
he had made in San Jose, moved into, and settled 
in the Valley which bears his name. Prom that 
day can be dated the first step toward the perma- 
nent settlement and development of the Valley. 
Livermore at once devoted his attention, almost 
exclusively, to the raising of horned cattle, horses 
and sheep. For the first few years he was greatly 
harassed by Indians, who stole and slaughtered 
his cattle, and even rendered it unsafe, at times, 
for himself and family to remain in their wilder- 
ness home. On such occasions they sought safety 
at Amador's place, which was rarely molested. 

On April 10th, 1839, Livermore and Noriega ob- 
tained from the Mexican Government a grant of 



two leagues of land, afterwards known as '• Las 
Pocitas Grant. 11 That same year, Livermore 
erected an adobe house near the Pocitas creek. 
This building stood intact until about three years 
since, when it was torn down by the present pro- 
prietor of the place. 

Five years later. Livermore planted a vineyard, 
and pear, apple and olive orchard, on the flat near 
his house. He also raised wheat— the first pro- 
duced in the Valley; and, by means of a ditch, the 
track of which can still be seen, brought water 
from the Pocitas springs, for irrigation. By this 
time his bands of cattle had increased largely, 
and were spread over the entire county, from 
Amador's to the San Joaquin river. They were 
raised only foe their hides and tallow, and the 
meat, not being salable, was left on the ground 
where the. animals were killed. 

Shortly previous to this time, other grants had 
been made, in the west end of the Valley, one to 
Antonio Sunol. Antonio Maria Pico. August in 
Bernal, and Juan p. Bernal, and another to Jose 
Dolores Pacheco. That year (1844), one Francisco 
Alviso came on to the last named grant, and be- 
came major domo for the proprietor. 

September 14th, 1346, Livermore purchased 
irom said Alviso, and others, and added to his 
domain, the rancho "Canada de los Yaqueros,'' 1 
now commonly known as: the "Vasco Ranch, 1 '' 
containing four leagues, or 17,760 acres of land. 
His land possessions then consisted of 2f3,6:0 
acres, but his stock ran over the entire region of 
county, irrespective of ranch boundaries. 

Thus, at the time of the discovery of gold in 
1848, there were but three actual settlers in Liver- 
more Valley -Robert Livermore, Jose Amador, 
and Francisco Alviso. Large bands of cattle were 
on the Bernal grant, but the owners were not 
resident there. Nor can we find that this number 
was increased until 1830. 



10 RESOURCES OP LIVERMORE VALLEY. 

Iu April of that year, Augustin Bernal moved Defrees settled in the Tail ey. and erected a hotel 

on to his grant in the Valley, and erected an abobe on the main road through the Valley, about a 

house. About the same time, Michael Murray mile west of Livermore's place. Shortly after, 

and Thomas Fallon settled near Amador. In Thomas Hart came to the Valley, and began work 

'March. 1850, one Nathaniel G. Patterson came to or Livermore. 

Livermore's place, and there being a great deal of Tn 1855, Hiram Bailey, a carpenter, came to Liv- 

travel through the Valley at that time, between ermore's place, from Contra Costa, and erected a 

San Francisco and the mines, he conceived the dwelling house for Joseph Livermore, a son of 

idea of starting a hotel. Accordingly, he hired Robert Livermore, near a spring in the ei 

Livermore's adobe house for that purpose, and end of the Valley. That rear, Richard Pope and 

thus established the first place of public enter- F.W.Lucas bought a range on the Arroyo 

tainment in the Valley. The same year. Joshua and engaged in sheep raising. The following 

A. Keal came into the Valley, and became major Tom. Hart bought Defrees 1 hotel, and carried cm 

domo on Livermore's rancho. Jose Sunol, a son the business himself. 

of Antonio Sunol, to whom a grant was made in It has been estimated that at that time there 

the Valley named for him, settled on his father's were upwards of fifty thousand head of cat; 

rancho that year. horses in the Valley, besides rhc immense bfl 

In the Spring of 1851, Livermore built a large of sheep in the hills and mountains. Very fe 

frame residence— the first wooden building erected tempts at aajiculture had been made, it I 

in the Valley. The lumber therefor was brought generally believed that the soil would p 

by a sailing vessel, around Cape Horn, from the nothing but grass. At Livermore's place.. 

Atlantic States. The carpenter work on the and Amador's, both grain and vegetables ha., 

building was done by John Strickland and John raised, but in a very email way. Everybo 

Teirney. who were paid for their labor the sum of the Valley was interested in stock raising, a 

seven hundred dollars. A portion oi this edifice, other industry was in operation, nor hardly 

now known as the " w Gld Livermore House," is thought of. In the year 185G, however, was struck 

still standing. During 1851-2. the number of set- the first blow toward the complete revolution of 

tiers increased rapidly. In August of tbe former the industrial interests of the Valley, which 

year, J. W. Kottinger came, ami erected a frame lowed. Joseph Livermore had some time 

building on the Bernal grant, at Alisal, then noted viously fenced a field of about 160 acres, oh ; 



as a rendezvous for Mexican bandits, robbers and 
outlaws, of every description. Shortly after, Al- 
phonso Ladd built a two story frame dwelling in 
Sunol Valley. The same year, Capt. Jack O' Linen, 
an old salt, settled in Corral Hollow, and began 
raising sheep. 
In 1352, Amador sold his rancho to J. W. Dough- 



Pocitas grant, including a portion of the ran< 
now owned by Almon Weymouth, and tha 
sowed the whole to wheat. This was thi 
field of that grain ever raised in the Valley. The 
next year, Joseph F. Black, and two brothers 
named Carrick, began raising wheat in the west 
end of the Valley. The former put in -100 acres on 



crty, a native of Tennessee. About the same time, Fallon's ranch, and th<* two brothers farmed alike 

S. Zimmerman, a German, settled near the east- area on the Dougherty estate, adjoining, 
ern limit of the present Township, and built a In the Summer ol 1857, Robert Livermore began 

hotel, known as The Mountain House. In Sep- sinking an artesian well near his residence. Geo. 

tember of that year, Juan P. Lfcrnol, a brother to Duel, a traveling well borer, had charge o': the 

Augustin, settled in the Valley, near Alisal, and work, which lasted seven mouths, und, owing to 
built an adobe house. Sometime during 1853 or . the high charges for labor, and prices of materiul 

'54. N. G. Patterson built a frame house about two at that time, cost a very large sum. A de] 

miles southeast of Livermore's place. about seven buudred feet had been reached at 



On tbe Glh dav of January. 1853, the Courtof 



time of Livermore's death, when tnc work was 



Sessions of Alameda Conmy (whirl: had been abandoned. At that depth, the water came « 
formed a short tune previously from portions of «*u feet oJ 
the counties of Contra Costa and Santa Clara) 



formed the Township of Murray, with the same 
boundaries as at present. They also, on the same 
day, appointed Robert Livermore as Cmintv Su 
pturvisor of said Township. That year, rvru* )l. \Y. 



ml a flowing stream of water broughl out on .he 

hillside below the house. The cost of this well 

(which Is still flowing), was uot loss than five 

thousand dollars. 

Llobeit Livermore". the pioneer of the Valley 



I 



RESOURCES OF LIVERMORE VALLEY. U 

which bears his name, departed this life on the crop followed it. The same season. Richard 
14th day of February, 1858. For over a quarter of Threffel, of Centreville, leased 400 acres adjoining 
a century had he dwelt within its hill-begirted Bean's, and obtained a large yield. 
limits, beloved and honored by all with whom he Encouraged by these results, the sowing season 

1 adventurous pio- of '65-6 opened auspiciously, the demand for lands 
neer he ale from the being largely increased. Threffe] sowed 1,700 acres 

possession of the wily and murderous savage, and in the eastern end of the Valley, belonging 
paved the way for the onward march oi civiliza- to Francisco Aurocoechea. Alexander Esdon 
tion. The level plains, where his countless herds bought COO acres of the Bancho el Valle de San 
stood to the breast in wild o ; as and clover, and Jose, or Bemal grant, adjoining the ranch Thref- 
tbe canyon-ribbed foothills, which offered him fel had farmed the previous year, andsowed it all. 
safety, when pursued by the savage and relentless He also farmed a large tract on the Dougherty 
Indian foe, know him no more. Savage and herds ranch. The area sowed by him that Reason 
have disappeared, never to return. Civilization amounted in the aggregate to 2.S00 acre< 
has come, and peopled the wilderness, as with Next year, Threffel sowed 4,000 acres in 
magic wand. Livermore was a good, brave, and Auroecochea's "big field, 11 and several other 
enterprising man. Surrounded, as he was, by a fields were farmed in that Vicinity. Fnoin 
class to whom the word -enterprise," or its sig- '63 to '70, ITiram Bailey farmed 3,000 acrea. 
nifieation, was almost a stranger, he displayed The large yield produced by these lands, which a. 
that quality to a most remarkable degree. Thous- few years before had been deemed worthless, ex- 
ands upon thousands were spent by him upon im- cept for pasture, could not but induce a rapid im- 
provements, of which another man. in his posi- migration. Settlers came, in large numbers, and, 
tion, would never have thought. His house was either by purchase or pre-emption, settled up the 
always open to the traveler, and many are now country in every direction. There was one draw- 
Jiving who can testify to his hospitality. Then, back, however, to the immediate development and 
all nonor to Robert Livermore; and let his name improvement of the country. This was the un- 
endure in the hearts of our people, as long as the certainty of laud titles The chief cause of this 
beautiful Valley he loved so well. was doubt regarding the boundaries of the 

In the year 1850, Hiram Bailey sowedeighty acres Pocitas, or Livermore grant. The U. S. patent 
bf wheat on the Positas grant, three miles north of which was issued February 13th, 1859 granted 
Livermore'*. That year, Black rented 400 acres of "two leagues, more or less,- within certain boun- 
Doujrherty, in addition to that he wasalready farm- daries. The limits described, however, contained 
ing on the Fallon ranch. S. B. Martin, who had in upwards of eleven leagues. This amount was 
13S4 pnrhased the Santa Rita, or Pacheco grant, claimed by the Livermore heirs. On March 1st 
sowed several hundred acres of grain that season. 1871, this matter was definitely settled, by the ap' 
The following year, Alexander Fsdon rented 1,000 proval of the second Dver survey (two lea-ues) bv 
acres of Dougherty, adjoining Black's, and sowed the Commissioner of the General Land Office at 
it all to wheat. Bailey also enlarged his opera- Washington, in accordance with a decision by the 
tions. In 1802, wheat raising was in full progress Secretary of the Interior. This decision threw 
in the west end of the Valley. Fences sprung up open for peaceable pre-emption a large extent of 
everywhere, stock was crowded up toward Liver- country, and coming, as it. did, immediate!.- after 
more's ranch, (which was then thought unfit for the completion of the railroad through the Valley 
agricultural purposes) and wheat raising in that resulted in bringing in a large population Towns 
section became an established fact. The yield in sprung np along the line of the railroad like 
many instances was enormous, but the general magic. Every year widened the extent of the 
average was about a ton to the acre. In 1863-4, grain fields, and witnessed the b nil din. of new 
the ary year, two brothers named Bean farmed homes. As will always follow, the stock interests 
about four hundred acres of the Bemal grant, two had given way before the plow of the sturdy bus 
mile, southeast of the Livermore House. The bandman, and the hut of the Mexican vanUero 
yield of grain was immense. The following year, supplanted by the cosy cottage of th 8 tiller of the 
George May bought a ranch on the grant, near the soil, 
east end oi the Valley, and put in 200 acres. 
Scarcely any one had any faith In the experiment 
of sowing grain in that action, but an enormous 



12 RESOURCES OF LIVERMORE VALLEY. 

ailiance with one of the Bernal heirs, had acquired 

PLEASANTON. the possession of a large tract of land, became 

In the year 1839, the ground on which now possessed of the idea that a settlement could be 

stands the town of Pleasanton. was, in common founded at Alisal. Accordingly, to encourage the 

-with the grant of thousands of acres, of which it same, he. for a trifling consideration, gave land to 

was a part, granted to Antonio Sunol, Antonio parties who would make improvements. A Dr. 

Maria Pico, Augustine Bernal, and Juan P. Bernal. Goucher received four acres, now belonging to 

Pico sold his interest to Sunol, who in 1840, con- Mrs. McLaughlin, and built a hoase. Ji:c:>p Tee- 

veyeditto Juan P. Bernal. Augustine Berual, a ters, a brother of Daniel Teeters, now residing 

Presidio soldier, resided at that time in the Santa near Livermore, received a like amount of land, 

Clara Valley. Until the spring of 1350. Bernal re- and put up a blacksmith shop, ou the site of the 

tained his residence in the lower Valley, only large establishment now owned by J. A.. Biiz. 

visiting his newly acquired territory, annually, Wm. Wittmer, a carpenter, was also given a lot, 

to rodeo his large bands of cattle, which, duv- and erected a building. 

ing the balance of the year, were left under the That same year. Joshua A. Neal. a native of New 

charge of native Indian vaqueros. Hampshire, and a pioneer of "47, who had for 

In 1319, a widow named Wilson, with several several years been major do mo of R. Livermoie's 

"Town-up sous, moved on to J. P. BerrmPs rancho, ranch; near Livermore, removed to Alisal, and by 

and herself made a contract with the proprietor, a marriage with a daughter of Augustine Bernai. 

whereby one of them should act as his major acquired overlive hundred acres of land, upon a 

domo. la April, 1850, Augustine Bernal moved portion ot which is situated the present town of 

up from Santa Clara Valley and built an adobe Pleasanton. He immediately erected a residence 

house at the foot, of the mountains, about a mile on an eminence overlooking the Valley, 

west of the site of the present town. Prior to this, The first public school house was erected early 

since 1844, Francisco Alviso, a major domo of in the Winter of 1.564. 

Jose Dolores Pacheco, the owner of a large grant In 188a, Mr. Kottinger erected the building on 
north of that of Bernal. had li\ ed in the Valley, the creek bank, now occupied by Jacob Johnson, 
and in 1854, built the large adobe building which as the Farmers' Hotel, and opened a general store. 
still stands on the hill road between -Pleasanton The first hotel building was erected in 1867, by 
and Dublin. Michael Murray and Thomas Fallon Anton B trdellini, now proprietor of the Washing- 
settled, in the sprino 1 of 1?.:0, in Amador Valley, ton Hotel, at Livermore. It was on the site of the 
where the widow Fallon still lives. John Green present Pleasanton Hotel, and forms a part of 
holds the Murrav estate. that edifice. A store was opened in the hotel 

In August, 1831, John W. Kottinger. a native of building. 

Austria, came to Alisal, or the Sycamores, as the Late in the year 18f>7, Mr. Kottinger made ft snr- 

site, of Pleasanton was then called. He at once vey of land in Alisal, with the idea of laying out. a 

erected a house (which is still standing) on a town. Being a great admirer of a Union general 

small eminence near the Arroyo Valle, and en- • of considerable note at that time, he .named the 

caged in stock raising. place "Pleasanton,'" after him. Thus originated 

In September, 1852, Juan Pablo Bernal, a the name of the town, and no 

brother of Augustine, settle Tin the Valley, and from its pleasant situation. The name, however, 

built an adobe house, across the creek from that of is very appropriate on I inf. ' 

Kottinger, which building is now a portion of the In August, 1868. J. A. Neal, whose land adjoined 

residence of J. F. Black. In 1837, a store was that of Kottinger, made a survey to supplement 

opened in Kottinger's house, on the knoll, by that of the latter, and began selling building lot;* 

Messrs. Duerrand^ussbaume-r, two Germans, the on the county road, now known as Main etn 

former now engaged in tanning on a large scale in On the 30th 6f September, 18S9, Kottipger mulu a 

Sunol Valley, In 1859, Charles Garthwait opened second survey, to agree with the lineorthe 

a store on the county road, opposite Augustine road, Una being built through the Valley. In 

BernaPs. He kept at this business four years. December, of the same year, Neal .d-.» 

and then engaged in farming near Pleasanton second survey, for the *ame purpwe. 

wli ere he now resides. Daring the years 1309-70, the growth o( the 

Some time in 1833, Mr. Kottinger. who, by an tuWttWM Ter 3 ra P id - 



RESOURCES OF LIVERMORE VALLEY 



1 *> 

lo 



The building of the railroad through the place The next season a small blacksmith shop waft 
and the location of a station there, gave assurance built near the store. In the spring of 1866, a school 
of its permanency, and induced settlers to come district was organized, and a house built, near 
in rapidly. Since that time, the town has contin- the old Livermore house, the funds being raised 
ued to grow steadil}'. until it has reached a popu- by subscription. The first school was kept by a 
lation of about seven hundred. The business of Miss Weeks, a subscription being taken to defray 
the place consists as follows: Two general stores, expenses. The first free school was organized iu 
four hotels, two blacksmith shops, one carriage December, 1866, with J. M. Ginn as teacher, 
manufactory, one lumber yard, one hardware Early in the year 1868, R. W. Graham, of Hay- 
store, one livery stable, one harness shop, one wards, erected a large building near Ladds houl 
bakery, one millinery store, two shoe shops, tail- and started a general store. A post office was 
or shop, barber shop, laundry, and several saloons, opened here and Graham was the first postmaa- 
There are two large grain warehouses and a com- ter. soon after Anton Bardellini erected a build 
modious hay barn iu the town. Two physicians ing. and started a restaurant, and a man e 
and an attorney at law reside aud practice in the Elliot built a livery stable. * About the same 
place. time Israel Horton erected a residence just > 

The public buildings consist, of a large two-story of Ladd's. Then followed Jos. Harris* store, 

school house, erected at a cost of several thousand Kuight & Sproul's drug store, Booken's salooiL 

dollars, and a neat church edifice, belonging to and other buildings. That year (1868), Messrs. 

the Presbyterian denomination. The Odd Fellows Beazell & Crowell erected a blacksmith shop, and 

occupy a fine twe-story building on the princiT al A. J. McLeod put up a residence. These were 

street. the first buildings on what is now the south side 

There are many fine residences in the town and of the railroad track, and the McLeod addition to 

its suburbs, nearly all surrounded by elegantly- the Town of Livermore. 



appointed grounds. The streets are planted with 
a row of tree? on either side, which form a delight- 
ful shade, and render the place oue of the most 
beautiful and attractive in the county. 

As throughout the entire western portion of the 
Township, the country tributary to Pleasant on is 
held in large ranches. This is of course prejudi- 
cial to the interests of the town, and tends to in 



The railroad was built through the Valley in 
the summer of 1869, and the first train run in Au- 
gust of that year. The previous July, Wm. M; 
Mendenhall, who owned a large tract oi land west 
of Laddsville, as the embryo settlement was then 
called, presented twenty acres to the railroad 
company, for depot purposes, and made a survey 
of a town plat. Building began at. once. That 



a great measure arrest its growth. Several of these season saw Stevens' flouring mill, A. J. McLeod's 



large tracts, however, are being divided into small 
farms, and sold to settlers, at reasonable prices. 
This will tend to increase the growth and pros- 
perity of the town, and at the same time build up 
and improve the surrounding country. 

LIVERMORE. 

In the spring of 1861, Alphonso Ladd. one of the 
pioneers of Murray Townshiy. pre-empted a quar- 
ter section of land near the old Livermore hou^e, 
and built a small dwelling. This was the first, 
building erected within the limits of the present 
town of Livermore. Later in the year, Ladd put 
up a hotel. In September. Adam Fath settled 
near Ladd's place, and erected a dwelling house. 
Soon after. Alexandro Mesa, a Spaniard, put up a 
small building, and opened a saloeu. In the win- 
ter of 1S63. one Hemy Goetjen built a small house 
on the hillside above Ladd's. and started a store. 



store, the Livermore hotel, R. B. Campbell's pri- 
vate residence, Mendenhall's warehouse, the 
Golden Eagle hotel, Catanich's hotel, and Whil- 
more's store. In 1870, Wm. M. Mendenhall do- 
nated a piece of land near the town, for a colle- 
giate institute, which was erected the same year. 
In November. 1871. nearly all the business hous< s 
in Laddsville were destroyed by fire. This turned 
the tide of business toward the new town. In 
1872, the Catholics erected a church building. 
During the two years since 1870, the town had 
more than doubled in size. In 1873, the Odd Fel- 
lows erected a fine two-story building, and the fol- 
lowing year, the Presbyterians a neat church edi- 
fice. The first newspaper, the Enterprise, was 
started in May, 1874, and received a liberal sup- 
port. i.n 1875. water was brought into town by 
the Livermore Spring Water Company. On the 
30th of April. 1876. the Town of Livermore was in- 



14 



RESOURCES OF LIVERMORE VALLEY. 



corporated by act of the State Legislature. The 
population was then by census determined to he 
830, and the number of buildings 234. Since that 
date, the growth of the town has been steady, 
despite repeated drawbacks. 

The area of the Town as incorporated, is 840 
acres. On this tract are four distinct surveyed 
plats, as follows : The Mendenhall plat, or orig- 
inal town ; the McLeod addition ; the Waterman 
addition; and Smith-Grant addition. Upon the 
first named is located the larger portion of the 
town. The McLeod and Waterman additions con- 
tain substantial improvements, and there is little 
doubt but their growth will be rapid. The Smith- 
Grant addition was surveyed but a few months 
since by the Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Com- 
pany. But a portion of this tract is located with- 
in the town limits, that outside being divided into 
homestead plots of several acres each. 

The population of the town at the present time 
is about 1100, while the number of buildings has 
increased in iike proportion since the census of 
1876. 

The site of the town is one of the finest to be 
found on the Coast. It is a gently sloping plain, 
bounded by low hills on the north, and the Arroyo 
Mocho on the south. The banks of this creek 
abound with oak and sycamore trees, of immense 
size. The soil is a gravelly loam, good for garden 
purposes, and very favorable to the growth of 
trees, both fruit and ornamental. On this soil 
mud is almost unknown. A few hours after the 
most violent storm the streets are entirely free of 
water, and in good condition. 

The business portion of the town is compactly 
built, generally in a substantial manner. Messrs. 
Waterman & Co's brick block is the finest mercan- 
tile building in the county outside of the city of 
Oakland. The residences are generally neat and 
attractive. Both the Catholics and Presbyterians 
have neat church edifices, of a similar style of archi- 
tecture. The public school building is a two- 
story, eight-room edifice, and the finest in the 
county, outside of Oakland. It cost, with its fur- 
niture, upwards of nine thousand dollars. The 
block upon which the building is erected was pre 
sen ted to the district by Wm. M. Mendenhall. 

Just south of the town, on the bank of the Arroyo 
Mocho, is situated the Livermore Collegiate In- 
stitute, an institution for the education of the 
youth of both sexes. The principal, J. D. Smith, 
is an experienced teacher, and excellent disciplin- 
arian. The institute is a commodious three-story 
edifice, surrounded by fine grounds, and command- 
ing a view of nearly the entire Valley. Its pupils 
are from every part of the Pacific Coast. The Oad 
Fellows have a fine two story building. 

Livermore is better supplied with facilities for 
the storage of hay and grain than any other town 
of its size in the State. The grain warehouses are 
four in number, with a storage capacity of 15,500 
tons, owned and described as follows: 
Waterman & Co., size. .60x100 capacity.. 2,000 

-...50x300 " 5,000 

Stevens & Wilkonson, " . . .50x300 " 5,000 

Anspacher Bros., "...50x200 " 3,500 



There are ten hay warehouses in the town, with 

a combined storage capacity of five thousand tons. 
Water is supplied to the town by the Livermore 

Spring Water Company, from two sources, the 

Pocitas Springs 2 l / 2 miles to the north-east, and 

the Arroyo Mocho, 4 miles to the south-east, 

The Company has mains along all the streets of 

the town, 

Following is a business directory of the town: 

Anspacher Bros., general merchandise. 

Aubury, Elliott, attorney at law. 

Anthony, F. A., hardware. 

Angelopulo, P. H., bakery. 

Alvres, A. J., barber shop and saloon. 

Bardellini, Anton, Washington Hotel. 

Bartlett, W. P., Herald printing office. 

Bastian, Geo., saloon. 

Bragdon, E. P., saloon. 

Booken, Geo, saloon. 

Comegys, G. W., general merchandise. 

Conrad, H., barber shop. 

Cronin, M, saloon. 

Cutler, Dr. L. IL, drug store. 

Campbell, Mrs. K. B., dressmaker. 

Butcher, N. D. hardware store. 

Butcher & Heslep, blacksmith and machine shop. 

Franzen, P., brewery depot. 

Gardemeyer, C, saloon. 

Gelich, P., fruit store. 

Graham, K. W., undertaker and furniture dealer. 

Gibbons, W, saloon. 

Corner, Theodore, harness shop. 

Grassi, Frank, Morning Star Hotel. 

Gillis, Jas, general merchandise. 

Hilton, Lemen, livery stable. 

Holmes, N B, blacksmith shop and wagon manu- 
factory. 

Horton & Kennedy, lumber yard. 

Horion & Kennedy, windmills, pumps, etc. 

Hupers, Moritz, Farmers 1 Exchange Hotel. 

Jarrett, G B, physician and surgeon. 

Jordan, W, brewery. 

Jacker, Jos, gunsmith. 

Jaccard, H P, jewelry store. 

Jenkins, Mrs W P, hotel. 

Levy, Samuel, general merchandise. 

Levy, P L, tailor shop. 

Lindley, C H, attorney at law and notary public. 

Love, M P H, attorney at law and notary public. 

McDonald, Mrs J, dressmaker and milliner. 

Mally, F, boot and shoe store. 

Marly, F, stationery store. 

Mueller, A, Livermore Hotel. 

McKeany, P, butcher shop. 

McCord, Miss Ella, dressmaker. 

McLean, C L, dentist. 

Moy & Connolly, butcher shop. 

Morette, J P, harness shop. 

McGee, H, saloon. 

McCabe, P L, saloon. 

Mack, M F, shoe store. 

Mendenhall & Co, dry goods store. 

JNiner, C, jewelry store. 

Niner, C, photograph gallery. 

O'Brien, Jas, harness shop. 

Pink, Louis, saloon. 

Pratt, C H, physician. 

Payne, A, paint shop. 

Shelden, Thos, saloon. 

Studer, F. shoe shop. 

Stevens, C J, flouring mills and warehouse. 

Stevens, C J, lumber yard. 

Schoenstedt, F, saloon. 

Smith. Chris, saloon. 

Taylor & Son, blacksmith and wheelwright shop. 

Taylor, W S, physician. 

Wallis & Co, soda water manufactory 

Waterman <fe Co, warehouse and commission 
merchants. 

Wetterau, Simon, bakery. 

Liveries are connected with the Washington 
and Morning Star HotelB. There also four Chinese 

wash -houses in the Town. 






; 



RESOURCES OF LlVERMORfi VALLEY. 



15 



SUNOL. 

7he village of Sunol is situated in the valley 
ring the game name, near the western bound- 
v of the Township. It is on the line of the C. P. 
E., six mile» west of the town of Pleasantou. 
place* of business consist of two general 
scores, two hotels, a blacksmith shop, several ea- 
loons, and meat market and shoe shop. This vil- 
ttge,like many others, sprang into existence at 
the time of the building of the railroad, and ow- 
'.,- to the fact that the entire region tributary to 
it is held in large ranches, by a few men, has grown 
tmt little since. It is, however, the third place in 
»ize, in the Township, The Sunol Valley and ad 
jacent foothills and canyons are much resorted to 
.y camping parties during the summer months, 
jn account of their wild and beautiful scenery, 
and accessibility. 

DUBLIN, 

Dr Dougherty's Station, as it is sometimes called, 
is a small hamlet at the western extremity of Liv- 
ermore Valley, about nine miles directly west of 
the town of Livermore. It has no railroad facili- 
ties, but is located on the much traveled county 
road from Oakland to Stockton. The places of 
business are two hotels, one general store, one 
olacksmith shop, one harness shop, and a shoe 
shop. The Catholic denomination has a commo- 
lious church here, near which is the only Cath- 
olic church-yard in the Township. A large and 
degant public school building has recently been 
-ected in the village, on land presented for the 
rpose by J. W. Dougherty. This is the oldest 
element in Murray Township. A store was 
. rted in the spring of 1838, John Green, still a 



resident ot the place, being the proprietor. From 
that time till 1868, much business was done here. 
The building of the railroad, however, decreased 
travel through the place, and drew trade to the 
rapidly growing towns of Livermore and Picasan- 
ton. The soil about Dublin possesses great fer- 
tility. Within a few miles of the village are sev- 
eral thousand acres of as rich land as can be 
found on the Pacific Coast. It is held in large 
tracts, mostly by parties unwilling to sell. 

ALTAMONT. 

This is a small station on the railroad eight 
miles east of Livermore. As its name would indi- 
cate, it is located at the highest point in the Liv- 
ermore Pass, being 749 feet above tide water. The 
place consists of a collection of about a dozen 
houses, including a store, hotel, and saloon. The 
country surrounding is hilly, but is nearly all un- 
der cultivation. The land is of good quality, and 
with the exception of dry seasons, produces large 
crops. The system of summer-fallowing is being 
introduced in this section, on a more extensive 
scale than anywhere else in the Township, and 
with most favorable results. There is a quarry of 
excellent building stone a short distance from the 
station, which commands a ready sale, and the 
property needs only to be developed, to become 
very valuable. 

MIDWAY 

Station is in size almost the counterpart of Alta- 
mont. a hotel, store, and about a dozen houses, 
constituting the entire settlement. It is located 
near the easterly boundary of the Township, on the 
slope to the San Joaquin Valley, and fourteen 
miles from the town of Livermore. 



PRODUCTS. 



WHEAT. 

The one product of the Livermore Valley and 
the country surrounding and tributary thereto, 
which overtops all others, is wheat. Barley and 
hay are raised to a considerable extent, but com- 
pared with the one great staple, their production 
is but limited. To this cereal, then, let us first 
lend out attention. 

QUALITY. 

The qualities in which the best wheat excels 
are flintiness, or dryness, glutinousness, or 
strength, whiteness of color, thickness of skin, 
plumpness, clearness, weight, and size of berry. 
The value of wheat depends most upon its 
strength. Much gluten in flour renders the dough 
tough, makes handsome bread, with the air bub" 
bles in it small and uniform in size, and retains 
moisture; while if the amount of gluten be small-, 
the grain of the bread will be uneven, the dough 
will give way in places, and lees moisture will be 
retained. The wheat of different countries varies 
greatly in glutinousness, and California occupies 
a very high position. That raised in Livermore 
Valley possesses a larger per cent, of gluten than 
(with one exception) any other section of the 
State. It is also extremely hard, or flinty, has a 
good color, ie generally plump, with a large berry, 
and if proper care be used in preventing the soil 
fioni becoming foul with wild oats, mustard, etc., 
is clean. The principal varieties raised are White 
Australian, Chile, and Sonora. The former gives 
the greatest satisfaction, and is most, used for seed. 
It has a slight tendency to smut, but this is cor- 
rected with blue vitriol, or "Milestone,' 1 as it is 
commonly termed. 

YIELD PER ACRE. 

Method of culture has a great influence upon 
the average wheat yield. Lands of equal fertility 
will by proper and improper methods of cultiva- 
tion produce totally different results. This fact is 
shown nowuere more clearly than in the Liver- 
more Valley. Much land is plowed and cowed 
when too wet; thus insuring almost a total fail" 
u re. Much more is allowed to grow foul with wild 



oats and mustard; thereby reducing the yield of 
grain. From these causes, the average yield per 
acre is much reduced, through the fault of the til- 
ler, instead of the soil. In good seasons, the av- 
erage yield throughout the township is, as near as 
can be ascertained by close calculations, about 
twelve centals per acre. In the dryest years it 
will average from one-fourth to one-third of that 
yield. These are only estimates, but err, if at all, 
in placing the vield too low. There can, how- 
ever, be no doubt in the mind of any thinking 
man, that were the large ranch system thoroughly 
broken up, and farms confined to three hundred 
acres, and under, the average yield would be in- 
creased fully one-third. It has been found that in 
nearly every instance the small farm produces ful- 
ly thirty per cent, more grain to the acre than the 
large ranch. 

On another page will be found tables showing 
the crops raised each season for a term of years by 
farmers in each section of the Valley. 



BARLEY. 

This cereal is raised to a considerable extent in 
the township, and its production is increasing 
yearly. The average yield per acre is somewhat 
larger than that of wheat, and ripening earlier than 
that grain, it is not so subject to shrinkage by 
hot winds. Barley is very serviceable in clearing 
land of weeds, such as wild oats, mustard, etc., 
and it is on that account, principally, that it is 
raised. 



HAY 

Is usually cut from volunteer, or the poorest 
wheat. The average yield in this Valley is about 
l'ii tons per acre. The quality is most excellent, 
Livermore hay having the reputation of being the 
best im the State. The acreage cut to hay varies 
greatly m different years. Ib dry seasons, or when 
the wheat is largely mixed with oatfl, it i« very 
large. In the most favorable wheat seasons, but 
little hay is produced, except for home consump- 
tion. 



RESOURCES OF LIVERMORE VALLEY. 



17 



WOOL. 

A large portion of Murray Township is of a 
mountainous nature, unfit lor cultivation, but 
specially adapted for sheep raising, which busi" 
ness is carried on very extensively. During the 
past few years, it has not been as profitable as 
formerly, owing to the great losses in dry seasons. 
Some growers, however, are doing well, and a few 
good seasons would render the business a very 
profitable one. The flocks are sheared twice an- 
nually, common grades averaging about SY 2 
pounds per head, each clip. 

FRUIT AND VEGETABLES. 
So recent has been the settlement of this sec" 
tion ot country, that there are but comparatively 
few orchards and vineyards. This is especially 
noticeable in the east end of the township, where 
the attention of the farmers seems to have been 
so occupied with grain growing, as to, except in 
rare instances, even prevent the planting of treeg 
and vines. About Pleasauton and Dublin, how- 
ever, and in some other parts of the Valley, are as 
fine orchards and vineyard* as can be found in the 
State. The soil and climate are peculiarly adapted 
to fruit, and its production will in the near future 
form one of the principal businesses of the Val- 
ley. Vegetables can be grown successfully, in 
many parts, without irrigation. They are culti_ 
vated to a considerable extent on the low, rich 
bottom lands about Pleasauton, and immense 
crops are produced. The quality, especially of 
potatoes, is nnequaled on the Coast. 

WOOD. 
The mountai ns of the Township, and the creek 



banks in the valleys, are generally well wooded, 
and yield a supply for shipment abroad of several 
thousand cords of wood per annum, besides what 
is needed for home consumption. It is of good 
quality, and finds ready sale, at remunerative 
prices. 

STOCK. 

Nearly all our farmers are to some extent en- 
gaged in stock raising. A few have embarked in 
the business quite extensively, with marked suc- 
cess. There are numerous blooded brood horses 
in the Township, and the general grade is improv- 
ing every year. At present, the shipments 
abroad are not large, but are on the increase. 

DAIRY AND POULTRY PRODUCTS. 

The dairying interests of the Township are of 
considerable magnitude, and are constantly on 
the increase. The superiority of the hay in this 
section, and excellence of the dry feed tend to 
make the business more profitable here than in 
most of the coast counties. 

The raising of poultry has grown to be an im- 
portant branch of business in this valley and 
vicinity. Nearly every farmer keeps from fifty to 
five hundred hens, and scattered through the 
Township are numerous "chicken farms 1 ' where 
poultry raising is the only occupation. When 
properly conducted, either by itself, or in con- 
nection with some other business, such as hog or 
stock raising, or farming on a small scale, this 
business proves very profitable. Upwards of 
$5,000 worth of eggs alone are shipped from Mur- 
ray Township monthly. 



MANUFACTURES. 



Although the towns of Livermore Valley offer 
great inducements to manufactures, that branch 
of industry has been introduced to but a limited 
extent. But few localities offer such rare advan- 
tages to parties intending embarking in manufac- 
turing enterprises, and a few years will doubtless 
witness giant strides in that direction. 

The Pleasanton Brick Works, near Pleasauton, 
employ forty men the season round, and do the 
largest brick manufacturing business in the coun- 
ty. The following statement, furnished ub by 
U. A. Boydston, station agent at Pleasauton. 
shows, in car-loads, the brick shipments from 
this yard for eaGh month during the year 1877. 
Cars are loaded to an average of 5000 brick each: 
January, 3 July, 57 

February, 4 August, 45 

September, 37 



March. 
April, 
May, 
June. 



28 
8-2 

110 
4SjDecember, 



October, 
November, 



38 
67 
14 



J. A. Bilz 1 carriage factory, at Pleasanton, em- 
ploys several men, and turns out from fifty to 
eighty wagons and carriages per annum. Mr. 
Bilz has by first class work gained an enviable 
reputation for his vehicles, and he supplies not 
only the home demand, but receives orders from 
ail parts of the State. 

Stevens 1 flouring mills, at Livermors, have a 
capacity of 150 barrels per day, and are the largest 
in the county, ..outside of Oakland. The mills are 
run by a fine sixty horse power engine. 

The Livermore Brewery, W. Jordan proprietor, 
does a large business, and has facilities for brew- 
ing on a large scale. 

Wallis & Co's Soda Works, at Livermore, do a 
large business during the summer months, sup- 
plying a large extent of country with this bever- 
age. 



Total, 



623 



DRY SEASONS. 



In common with the entire State of California, 
the greater portion of Murray Township is more 
or less affected by dry seasons. In this respjet, 
however, it compares favorably with fully three - 

fourths of the tillable sections of the State. It is 
equal to the Santa Clara and Sacramento Valleys, 
and far more certain than the Salinas. Whenever 
anytning whatever is raised without irrigation on 
the West Side of the San Joaquin, the Livermore 
Valley produces a large crop. 

During the past niae years, there have been 
four comparative crop failures throughout the 
State. During the ten years previous, there was 
but one dry season. Prior to 1870, such a thing as 
a scarcity of rain during the winter season, was 
almost unknown to the farmers of this section. 
Large crops were produced every year, and no fear 
whatever was felt, in sowing time, that the harv- 
est would not, be boimtif.il. The years 1870 and 
1371 were dry throughout the State— the coming 
of two dry seasons together being without prece- 
dent on this Coast. Tho^e two years, the Liver- 
more Valley produced about one-third of a full 
crop. Bounteous harvests followed, till 137.3. 
That year, the crop failed entirely in the West San 
Joaquin, but as will be seen by freight shipment 
tables on pages 25 and 26, the yield in this section 
was not seriously effected. The year 1377 was the 
dryest ever known in the Valley. By again refei- 
ring to the tables, we find the shipments upwards 
of half as large as the previous season — one of the 
bpst ever known here. 

The following statement shows in inches the 
amount of rainfall at Livermore each season since 
1870. as kept by J. L. Mitchel, station agent at 
this place. By repeated observations ir has been 
determined that in Livermore Valley a rainfall of 
ten inches, if favorably distributed, is sufficient to 
produce a good crop. I5y a system of summer-fal- 
lowing, a considerably smaller amount will suf- 
fice : 



The following table shows the amount of grain 
shipped by rail from the principal towns of differ- 
ent sections of the State, during the years 1876 
and 1377. It shows the effect the dry season just 
passed had on the grain production of this section 
in comparison with others. Only the principal 
shipping points are given: 



1876. 



1877. 



KAINFALL. 



1870-1. 


1871-2, 


J 872-8, 


1874 »- 



4.62 
18,84 
10.10 
11.08 



SEASON. 



1874-5, 
1875 6. 
1876-7. 
1877-8, 



RAINFALL. 

10.85 
21.09 

6.12 
16.66 



From 
LIVERMOEETT7 
PLE.VS.VNTON,., 

ALTAMONT, .... 

Hay wards 

Washington, 

San Jose 

Bliie 

Bantas, 

Stockton 

Salida 

Modesto 

T a rlock, 

C-'essey, 

Merced 

Plainsburg, 

Borden, 

Fresno 

Cross Creek. . . . 

Biggs 

Durham, 

Chico 

Sacramento 



Weight. 



Weight. 



21.843,9381 
15,037,0:54 
458.250 
7,173,38.-) : 
3.532.603 
15.636,051 ! 
6.039,942 
12.165.5."7 
1.705.1651 
16.216,351 I 
20.365.003 | 
16,152.948 
4.310 596 I 
18.590.322 
8.911.51(1: 
5.297.3*1 j 
5.654.727 ! 
7.566.420 
11.956.216, 
15.663.666 \ 
14.534,050 
20.880.450 : 



11.212,570 

4.001.4(0 

444.840 

2.647,120 

2.359,980 

1,617.930 

109.290 

1.137.0 

3.586. 110 

955.990 

3.314.500 

4.502,510 

20 000 

7.744.076 

1.357930 

572 060 

80 0000 

528.250 

10.721. 070 

7.059.350 

10.809.590 

11.359.750 



AN OFF-SET TO ])ST SEASONS. 

The State of California is climattcally divided 
into three great belts— the Coast. Interior, and 
Foothill. The first of these possesses a damp at- 
mosphere, and receives a large rainfall. It is af- 
fected but slightly by dry seasons. The chief dif- 
ficulty experienced in grain raising is from ex- 
cess of moisture. This produces rust. smut, and 
other parasitic diseases, totally unknown in ce- 
reals grown in a dry climate. The Middle, or Val- 
ley Belt, possesses a very dry atmosphere, and re- 
ceives but a small rainfall. This is the grain-field 
of tne State, though the yield per acre is much 
loss than on the Coast, drain is seldom if ever 
affected by rust, the only drawback to its ^uct-.'ss- 
ful cultivation being the frequency of dry season-. 
In the north part of the State this i« felt less lhan 
at the south, where the avevuge is bat two pood 
crops In five years. The third, or Foothill Belt, 
has a much larger rainfall than the middle valleys, 
hut is not adapted to general grain production. 

The Livermore Valley, lying as it does in the 
Coast Range, directly between the Coast and Inte- 



RESOURCES OF LIVERMORE VALLEY. 



19 



rior belts, possesses the advantages of both, with 
out the disadvantages of either. It receives a 
much larger rainfall than the latter, and consid 
erably less than the lormer. It is therefore never 
visited by the entire crop failures, so common in 
ihe San Joaquin; and at the same time, possesses 
almost complete immunity from rust, smut. 
cheat, and other diseases which effect grain where 
the rain fall is in excess. 
We therefore feel justified in making the asser- 



tion that no section of country of equal extent 
anywhere in the State will produce as much 
grain in ten years, wet and dry, as will the Liver- 
more Valley and its adjacent foothills. This 
opinion is shared by nearly every farmer of sound 
judgment and of an observing turn of mind, who 
is familiar with this section. 

All our land wants is proper cultivation, to 
make crop production here as certain as anywhere 
on the coast. 



CHANCES FOR MEN WITH SMALL CAPITAL. 



There are in our State at the present time, we 
believe, a large number of men, with small capi- 
tal, who are anxious to engage in some safe and 
remunerative business. The small trades of our 
cities are greatly overdone, and often fail to yield 
even a decent living, to say nothing of interest on 
capital invested. Stock gambling, that fatal whirl- 
pool which has swallowed the hard-earned savings 
so many victims, has, we are pleased to note, 
fallen into disrepute. Investments in city and 
suburban property, with a view to their apprecia- 
tion in value, are beyond the reach of the men of 
whom we speak. They must engage in some 
busiuess which will yield them a return at once. 

Now, we wish to call the attention of such men 
to . he Livermore Valley. There are within ten 
miles of this place, thousands of acres of rich 
land, suitable for stock raising and farming, 
which can at present be purchased at a very low 
figure. Much of this land was settled up by 
squatters, who fought out, and finalb won their 
claims, after spending immense sums in lawsuits. 
Every dollar's worth of the immense crops they 
raised, went to pay the lawyers, and, therefore, 
when the dry season came upon them last year, 
they weie but illy prepared to meet it. A large 



number of ranches, therefore, fell into the hands 
of our merchants, and others, upon foreclosures 
of mortgages, who would be glad to dispose of 
them for the sums advanced, and interest, in 
many cases but half of the real value of the prop- 
erty. 

A'large quantity of railroad laud is also offered 
for sale, at low rates, on easy terms, together 
with several large ranches, which are being di- 
vided, and sold in small parcels. 

To men of small means, plenty of common 
sense, and willingness to work, our Valley now 
offers an opening not to be neglected. 

In no place, in the State can a man of small 
means do so well, at present, as in the Livermore 
Valley and vicinity. In addition to this there are 
other advantages to be considered, such as prox- 
imity to San Francisco, the finest and most 
healthv climate in the State, churches, excellent 
schools, low freights, etc., etc., which make our 
Valley a most desirable place of residence. 

The time may never again come when such 
great inducements will be offered in this section, 
and we trust that no hesitation will be shown in 
their acceptance. 






20 



RESOURCES OE LIVERMORE VALLEY. 

CROP STATEMENTS. 



The following crop statements are not by any 
means exceptional or isolated cases of extraordi- 
nary yield, but present a fair average of the gene- 
ral yield throughout the entire Valley. Had we 
the mind, we could publish statements showing 
a production of thirty-eight centals of grain per 
acre, in a large field, the present season, in this 
Valley— but this is exceptional, and would not 
serve the purpose we desire of these statements— 
to show a fair average yield. 

JOHN BEGAN. 
Banch of 160 acres, four miles southeast of 
Livermore. Each dry year this place produced 
considerable hay, and was used for grazing: 



GEOBGE BECK. 
Banch of 160 acres; but 140 under cultivation; 
five miles northeast of Livermore. 



TEAK. 


GRAIN, IN CENTALS. 


4IAY, t» TONS. 


1874 


1,400 


30 


1875 


540 


35 


1876 


835 


40 


1877 


433 


50 


1878 


450 


130 



GEO. C. STANLEY. 
Two ranches, 880 acres, two miles from Liver- 
more; crop report for 1878: 



NO. ACRES. 

880 



GRAIN, IN CENTALS. I HAY. IX TONS 

7,500 ; 350 



YEAR. 



1868—70 acres in, 

1869 - 

1870 - 

1871 - 

1872 - 

1873 - 

1874 - 

1875 - 

1876 - ..- 

1877 - 

1878 - 



GRAIN CROP IN CENTALS. 



1,450 
50 

350 
2,000 
1,100 
2,200 

500 
1,400 

213 
1,938 



JOHN T. TAYLOB 
Banch of 700 acres, in "big field, 11 two miles 
east of Livermore; crop report for 1878: 



NO. ACRES. I GRAIN IN CENTALS. I HAY, IN TONS. 



700 



12,400 



350 



BOBEBT McGLASHAN. 
Banch of 160 acres, five miles east of Liver- 
more ; crop of 1878 : 



NO. ACRES. 

160 



GRAIN. IN CENTALS. 

1.850 



HAY IN TONS. 



60 



LIVERMORE SOCIETIES AND ORGANIZATIONS 

eently been started, and the association having it 
in charge intend erecting a building at an early 



The town of Livermore has two fire companies 
—Niagara Engine Co. No. 1., and Livermore 
Hook and Ladder, Co. No. 1. The former organ- 
ization has a large and powerful hand fire engine 
and hose cart, and the latter a fine truck, costing 
upwards of eight hundred dollars . The H. &. L. 
Co. is an independent organization, receiving no 
aid from the town corporation. It owns a fine 
two-story engine house, which is leased by the 

Town. 
A public Horary and free reading room has re- 



day. 

The societies of the 1 own are as follows : Liver- 
more Lodge, I. O. O. P., a large lodge in a pros- 
perous condition; Pleasanton Lodge, F. & A. M. ; 
Sons of Temperance; J. B. C, an organization of 
young men. with the object of mutual improve- 
ment and social enjoyment; Unknown Base Ball 
Association; Livermore Coursing Club. 



PRICES OF LANDS. 



There is perhaps nowhere a greater range in 
the piice of farming and grazing lands than In 
Murray Township. The Government land, which 
is mostly mountainous, but abounding with 
springs, and valuable for chicken and hog 
ranches and sheep raising, is all within the rail- 
road limits, and consequently is sold at $2.50 per 
acre. Boiling hill land, suitable for grain raising, 
can be bought for from $12 to $25 per acre. Alkali 
laud in the Valley, of which there is about two 
thousand acres, commands about the same price. 
This Land, says Prof. Hilgard, of the State Uuiver 
sity, is amoug the most valuable on the Coast 



It is specially adapted to the raising of beets. 
producing immense crops of this vegetable, which 
can be fed to hogs at a large profit. Farming 
lands in the east, eud of the Valley about Liver- 
more, range from $2:, to $55 per acre, according to 
auality and location. Valley lands about Pleas- 
anton and Dablin are valued at from $50 to $200 
per acre, with but little in the market at those 
prices. The difference in price between valley 
and hill lands is not caused by superiority or m- 
LtyofsoU, but by the difficulty of cultivating 

and harvesting in the hills. 



CLIMATIC INFLUENCES OF LIVERMORE VALLEY 



BY G. BENTON JARRETT, M. D. 



A few words concerning the much worn theme, 
:limate, may not seem amiss, when speaking of 
he resources of Livermore Valley and adjacent 
:ountry. The Pacific Ocean breeze is the great 
joverning power ol the climate of this Coast. 
-The presence of the cool ocean, together with 
!the prevailing westerly winds, sweeping the air 
which had been resting over the ocean, across a 
great portion of the country, thus impresses the 
chief character on the climate, viz: a compara- 
tively high and uniformly distributed winter 
teinperature."-(Smithsonian Contributions to 
Knowledge, Vol. Temperature, etc.) A cool cur- 
rent, running south, close along the coast, tends 
to produce a comparatively low summer tempera- 
ture. This oceanic influence is said to impress 
itself on the climate as far inland as Montana. 
There are many circumstances that hold a power 
in deciding the merit of a place to a front rank in 
a climatic point of view, especially for invalids, 
or persons of weak physical powers. Though but 
a few miles apart, the greatest differences are ap- 
parent to the most casual observer. It is certainly 
a most invigorating breeze one meets at the ocean 
side, for one whose health is not too much depre- 
ciated; but it is decidedly too strong for an inva- 
lid. Therefore, the thought naturally occurs to 
one lacking the robust nature capable of taking 
advantage of the Seabreeze: How am I to obtain 
this pure air without suffering from too large or 
strong doses? That question has puzzled many 
seekers after health, and needs to be answered 
by modified assertions. The most important con- 
siderations in making a choice, are heat, cold, 
dryness, humidity, and altitude. Too great, or 
sudden changes in temperature, are injurious to 
the invalid; therefore, a protected spot or neigh- 
borhood is necessary; also, dryness of climate 
during a greater portion of the year, and a soil 
whose absorbing powers are great, and drainage 
natural, so as to render the dampness of the rainy 
season nearly harmless. Attention must be paid 
to the mental requirements, in selecting a home 
for the invalid, and varying and picturesque 
scenery are therefore preferable. 

The climate found about forty miles inland 
from the coast, and protected Dy a chain of hills 



and mountains, is preferred by a majority of per- 
sons qualified to give au opinion. 

TOPOGRAPHY OF LIVEKMOKE. 

Such a place is Livermore Valley and vicinity. 
Protected by the Coast range, it has almost entire 
exemption from the nightly fogs of the coast; and 
possessing an altitude ol nearly five hundred feet, 
several disagreeable conditions of the sea shore 
climate are removed. The breeze of the ocean a 
toned down; its harshness is reduced; its unplea 
sant effects receive a check; being deflected up- 
ward by the coast range of hills and mountains, 
and deprived of excessive humidity, it can be 
breathed with comfort by many invalids who feel 
oppressed when near the coast. The summer air 
is very dessicating, and dead animals left an- 
buried, become in a short time, so dry that 
scarcely any smell is emitted. So free is the air 
from moisture and all morbific effluvia, that dis- 
tant objects can be seen with great distinctness. 
The small observatory on the summit of Mt. Di- 
ablo, though twenty two miles distant, can be 
distinctly discerned with the naked eye, nearly 
the entire year. On the south, Cedar Mountain 
seems to be within an hour's walk of Livermore, 
though about twelve miles distant. On the east, 
a range of hills separates the Valley from the San 
Joaquin. Thus, the Sacramento and San Joaquin 
rivers, with their tule lands, are no part of our 
climate. Yet. they can be plainly seen from 
Brushy Peak summit, nine miles from Livermore. 
To present more fully to the reader the climate 
of Liveimore Valley, we will begin with the win- 
ter, or rainy season. The Valley of Livermore 
possesses a great many features in common with 
the rest of the State south of San Francieco. 
A winter season mild and agreeable, and com- 
pared to the Allantic States, very short. The 
rainy, wet, or winter season, begins, sometimes, 
in October-though often November is dry— and 
terminates about April. The "settled" rains oc- 
cur during a period of three months. Even dur- 
ing the "settled rainy season," a cessation often 
occurs for a week, much more rain falling at night 
than during the day. Through the entire year, 
the roads in the gravelly part of the Valley are in 
good condition. A few hours after the heaviest 



22 



RESOURCES OF LIVERMORE VALLEY, 



rains, all roads, except cm adobe soil, become 
comparatively dry. The nature of the soil is 
assisted by the gradual sloping of the Valley to 
wards the mountain passes that lead to the Bay 
of San Francisco. The southern winds prevail 
during winter, and are the winds that bring the 
most bountiful showers. During the intervals 
betwe en rains is the most delightful weather, the 
atm osp.here being purified, and yet mild and equa- 
ble. The coolest pari of winter is a few degrees 
below the freezing point; though on days when 
the morning is coldest, the midday and afternoon 
become warm and pleasant, and a man with extra 
wraps on is sure to be accosted with, "What's 
the matter? 11 by friends solicitous concerning the 
state of his health. Lightning is of rare occur- 
rence during showers. No lightning rods are 
used — none are needed. Few thunder showers, 
and those phenomenal, mostly in midwinter, and 
followed by colder wcathei and hail, soon turning 
to rain. Snow seldom falls in the Valley. It is 
said to be a decennial curiosity, and melts imme- 
diately, as itlies on the mountain tops, itafforcls 
a beautiful contrast with the green foothills and 
valley beueath. 

Spring time is made beautiful by the manv 
flowers that almost cover the hill and dale, and 
grasses and evergreen trees. The orange, almond 
and oleander trees live in the open air the year 
around. Certain plants, as tomato, castor bean, 
etc., considered annual, become perennial. 

The dry season begins in June, and lasts as be- 
fore stated, sometimes till December. During 
this time is one continual, uninterrupted succes- 
sion of clear weather. A description of one day 
is that of another, and all. The sun rises in a 
cloudless sky, and lights up a scene of beauty. 
The air, Cool and buoyant, is clear as crystal, 
without aught of fog or mist to mar the most dis- 
tant view. As the heat of the sun increases, a 
slight breeze springs up from the west, and 
grows in power with the fervency of the rays of 
old Sol, till slightly past noon, when both decline 
in force. Later, a light haze settles in the Valley, 
while stray fog-clouds drift slowly along the dis- 
tant mountain ridges. The sun sinks toward 
setting, and now is the most lovely hour of the 
day. Hills and mountains are bathtd in a sea of 
rich purple haze, bright and vivid on the high 
ridge; "out down in the deep canyon, dark and 
somb-c. The western sky is full of cloud-specs, 



each aiiame with color, bestowed by the fast sink- 
ing king of day. Great mountain shadows race 
across the Valley, as if in friendly rivalry. And 
at last, in such a halo of glory as is seen nowhere 
but in this land of the western sea, the sun sinks 
from view beyond the hills. The day is done. 

The daytime, often hot, never fails to be fol- 
lowed by cool nights ; and owing to the dryness 
of the atmosphere, 109 degrees in the shade is 
more easily borne than 80 degrees would be in 
the Middle States. Sun strokes are of very rare 
occurrence and are always traced to unnecessary 
exposure, or dissipation. Oerebro-spinal-menin- 
gitis of children and infants is entirely unknown. 
The cool nights so invigorate the physical pow- 
ers, that the digestive organs have ample time 
aud opportunity to repair any damage incurred by 
the hottest days of summer. 

Like most of the State, the vicinity of Liver- 
more has its individual localities, having dis- 
tinctive features regarding their climate. 
Streams having their source in the surrounding 
hills and mountains, flow through the vallev, 
watering their banks. Far up these creeks can 
be found openings, or widenings of the canyon, 
well protected from adverse winds by giant trees 
and high ridges on either side, which are indeed 
"individual localities,'" forming the camper's 
idea of a perfect camping ground. The climate 
here is milder, having more rain during the wet 
season, but less wind, and cooler, than the Valley 
proper. For invalids suffering from bronchial 
diseases, and for phthisical persons, in first, and 
early part of second stages, these places in the 
hills are of incomparable value, and are available 
for little or no expense, compared to "Springs' 1 
and seaside resorts. Then, close at hand, are 
benches on the foothills or mountains, where 
almost an^ altitude necessary for the invalid, 
can be obtained, while those on the east slope are 
protected from winds, and are all provided by 
nature with water-works that need no improve- 
ment, and in which animalculae have no place. 

Along the water courses are pleasai t groves, of 
trees, available foi man and beast as shelter 
from the noonday sun. 

The game consists of rabbit and quail, for the 
most part, Deer are often found, hut the grizzly 
is a thing of the past, and the cougar can only be 
found in the solitude of deep mountain canyons. 
Yet game abounds in sufficient quantities to 



RESOURCES OF LIVERMORE VALLEY 



23 



uper, and at most any favorable season would seem to be from April or 

fctr^et— ana batter at mar- Kay, tU, Member, or from tbe Cose of tbe wet 

Let prices. Good road S lead from tbe 0. P. K. B. season, till it begun, agatn. 
stations to all tbe adjacent country. Tbe most 



THE LIVERMORE COAL MINES.* 



BY W. W. WINN. 



The first discovery of coal in Murray Township 
was made in Corral Hollow, upwards of twenty 
years ago. by Captain John O'Brien, at that time, 
and now, engaged in the sheep business in that 
vicinity. A company was formed, and for several 
years, the mines were worked successfully. 
Finally, the entire property was sold to Wm. T. 
Coleman", of San Francisco, since which time 
nothing has been done . The vein was about eight 
feet thick, and the coal of the same duality as that 
from the Mt. Diablo mines. In 1873, Thomas 
Harris and Jenkins Bichards discovered line coal 
croppings in the edge of the Livermore Valley, 
about three miles north of the Corral Hollow 
mines. A stock company was immediately 
formed, and a copy of articles of incorporation 
filed by the directors, W. A. Jones, W. Jenkins, 
T. Harris, J. Richards and W. W. Winn, on May 
2d, 1874. The amount of capital stock was $10,000, 
divided into 20,000 shares. Operations were be- 
gan immediately, a shaft being sunk to a depth of 
500 feet, at which depth the coal became harder 
and brighter. From the bottom of this shaft, 
gangways were driven east, and west, 500 feet. 
Large and powerful machinery was erected for the 
purpose of hoisting, and upwards of 2000 tons of 
coal were taken from the mine and shipped to dif- 
ferent localities along the railroad. This vein is 
about 3V4 feet i* thickness, but somewhat mixed 
with slate. 

In 1876, there was discovered another fine vein 
of coal, four feet in thickness, and perfectly clean, 
overlaying the first vein about one hundred feet, 
but running under lands owned by private parties. 
The company expended nearly £70,000 in the 



mine, but owing to the large quantities of foreign 
coal which were beiug imported here at low rates, 
became embarrassed, and was compelled to sus- 
pend operations. 

In the fall of 1876, another organization was 
formed, known as the Summit Coal Mining Com- 
pany. They discovered a vein of pure coal, four 
feet in thickness, one mile east of the old mine. 
A shaft was sunk on the vein some 300 feet, and 
several hundred tons of coal taken from the mine. 
All the coal stratas in this vicinity dip to the 
north, at an angle of about 42 degrees. The coal, 
as throughout California, is of a bituminous na- . 
tore; it is distinguished from the majority of coals 
by its making a very hot fire with bat little blaze 
or smoke. It is considered excellent for steam. 

purposes. 

These mines are now in good working condi- 
tion, with thousands of tons of clean, hard coal in 
sight, ready to be taken out at any time. At 
present, work is being carried forward on a scale 
sufficient for the supply of the towns of Liver- 
more and Pleasanton, but the principal mines 

are closed. 
Their situation, however, but eight miles from 

the town of Livermore, and fiity-five from the 
city of San Francisco, together with the abund- 
ance and excellent quality of the coal, render 
these mines too valuable to remain idle for any 
great length of time. It is probable that they will 
within a few years be developed, and worked on 
a lar-e scale. But a little capital is needed to 
maketois coal field one of the most flourishing 
and prosperous on the Pacific Coast. 



24 



RESOURCES OF LIVERMORE VALLEY. 

TO CAPITALISTS AND MANUFACTURERS. 



There are few towns in the State which offer 
such inducements to manufacturing interests, as 
do those of the Livermore Valley. Almost any 
kind of manufacturing business can be carried on 
here at far less expense than in or near a large 
city. Rents are very low, fuel and water are 
plenty and cheap, and the cost ot transportation, 
owing to our proximity to the State metropolis, 
is trifling. In the city, on the contrary, rents are 
enormous, fuel is very high? and water no cheaper 
nor more abundant than here. The amount saved 
in transportation is swallowed up a dozen times 
in the difference ot the cost of these principal 
items. Besides, any manufacturing interest 
which may locate within our midst is assured a 
gift of ten acres of land in the town limits, by 
Mr. Wm. Mendenhall, and free water for five years, 
by Mr. John Aylward, President of the Livermore 
Spring Water Co. With these two items saved. 
no manufacturing business could fail of being 
.successful here. 

There is one branch of manufacturing, however, 
which is specially adapted to this region, and of 
which we wish particularly to speak. We refer 
to the manufacture of woolen goods. The foot- 
hills and mountains surrounding our Valley, are 



specially adapted to the raising of «heep. In fact, 
there are hundreds of thousands of acres which 
can never be profitably put to any other purpose. 
At present, all the wool from the flocks raised on 
this vast extent of country, amounting to upwards 
of one million pounds annually, is shipped to 
San Francisco or San Jose, for manufacture. 
Now, there is no reason why all this wool should 
not be made into fabrics at our very doors, thus 
saving cost of transportation, and helping to build 
up our towns, and give employment t© our citi- 
zens. We have talked with parties familiar with 
the affairs of the woolen mill at San Jose, who 
give it as their opinion that such an institution 
could be run here at least one-third cheaper; and 
this aside from the bonuses offered, of which we 
spoke above. 

If we did not believe such an enterprise would 
be both practicable and very profitable, we should 
not advocate it; for there is nothing which so 
hurts a town as unprofitable investments. We 
believe, however, that any capitalist who will 
only undertake to investigate this matter, will 
become satisfied of its entirely feasible, practica- 
ble, and profitable nature. 



LANDS NOW IN MARKET- 



Following is a description of several of the 
large ranches and tracts of land in thi* Township, 
now being divided and offered for sale; 

The Jos. F. Black ranch, 7,000 acres; 1.000 acres 
Valley land, balance hilly; soil a black loam; all 
grain land. 

The Chas. McLaughlin property. 55,000 acres, 
nearly all mountainous, suitable for sheep 
ranges. 

The Jose Aurocoechea tract, or "big field,'" 
2,400 acres ; best Valley land. 

The Geo. C. Stanley ranch, 700 acres; all Valley 
land; good soil for wheat. 

The Wm. B. Carr property; several thousand 
acres, distributed in quarter sections throughout 
the eastern end of the Township; generally hilly; 



good wheat land. 

The Wm. M. Mendenhall ranch, 600 acres; 
good land, well watered, situated in centre of 
Valley. 

The J. W. Kottinger tract, 2.600 acres; mostly 
hill land, suitable for grain and grazing. 

There are also in the Township about twenty 
thousand acres of Government land, subject to 
public pre-emption. Most of this is mountainous, 
suitable only for sheep or goat raising, or chicken 
farming. The most accessible is about eleven 
miles from the town of Livermore. 

In addition to the above, it may be mentioned 
that the leading merchants ot the Valley have 
ranch properties for sale at low prices, on easy 
terms. 



MEXICAN LAND GRANTS- 



The Mexican grants, wholly or partly in this 
Township, consisted of the San Ramon, four 
square leagues and 1.800 varas, granted to J. M. 
Amador in 1835; confirmed by the Commission 
Aug. 1, 1854; and by the District Court, Jan. 14, 
1857; extent in acres, 16,516.96. The Santa Rita, 
granted April 10, 1839, to J. D. Pacheco; rejected 
by the Commission, April 25, 1854; confirmed by 
the District Court, August 13, 1855; and decree 
affirmed by the U. S. Supreme Court; 8,885.67 
acres. El Valle d« San Jose, granted to Antonio 
Maria Pico, April 10, 1839; confirmed to Antonio 



Sunol et al., by Commission, Jan. 31, 1854; by 
the District Court, Jan. 14, 1856; 51,572.26 acres. 
Las Pocitas, two square leagues, granted April 
10, 1839, to Salvio Pacheco; confirmed by Com- 
mission to Joee Noreiga and Robert Livermore, 
Feb. 14, 1854, and by the District Court, Feb. 18, 
185». Canada de los Vaqueros (mostly in Contra 
Costa), grauted Feb. 29, 1842, to Francisco Alviso, 
etal.; confirmed to Robert Livermore. by Com- 
mission, Sept. 4. 1855, and by the District Court, 
Dec. 28, 1857. 



FREIGHT SHIPMENTS. 



The following tables, prepared especially for this work by J. C. Stubbs, General Freight Agent 
f the C. P. R. R., show, in pounds, the amount of freight shipped from the several stations of 
Jurray Township, for each year since, and including 1873. Previous to that time, no record was 
;ept: 



















SUNOL. 








ARTICLE. 


1873 


1874 


1875 


1876 


1877 


Parley, 


211,030 


446.130 


774,710 


3,035.9*0 


656,600 


Jattle and Calves, 


419,200 


40.000 


61.500 


14.000 


103,500 


Lumber, 


•„o,ooo 


40,000 


71,900 






Oath, 






38,420 


126,160 


61,300 


Fresh Meat, 




80,750 








Gravel, 






100,000 






dorses, 






13,000 




23,500 


Hay, 


1,070,000 


6S0,000 


320,000 


340,000 


940,000 


Hio.es, 










11,800 


Hogs, 




C0,000 




17,500 




Poms, 






40,000 






iheep, 


220,000 


1,800,000 


920.000 


140.000 


920,000 


Sana, 






40,000 






Wood, 


370.750 


125.000 


340.000 


60,000 


100.000 


Wool, 


33,130 


5,0,000 


62,3t0 


82,290 


108,910 


Wheat, 


5,322,660 


4,712,010 


5,617,880 


3,618,140 


709,690 


Merchandise, 


108,050 


£02,220 


128.950 


137,7£0 


71.120 


Totals, 


7,774,820 


8,206,110 


8,528.720 


7,571, S00 


3,703,420 



ALTAMONT. 



ARTICLE. 


. 1875 


1876 


1877 




I Barley, 


61,600 


417,740 


127,140 




' Cattle and Calves, 


30,500 








I Hay, 


871,400 


420,000 


60,000 




Lumber, 






20.000 




Sheep, 


2,940,000 


2,280,000 


480,000 




Stone, 


604,070 




543.500 




Wool, 


13,400 


140,860 


33,840 




Wheat, 




40,520 


317,700 




Wood, 


14,270 








Merchandise, 


12,050 


21.110 


39.650 




Totals, 


4,547,290 


3.320,230 


1.621,830 





MIDWAY 



ARTICLE. 


1873 


1874 


1875 


1876 


1377 


Barley, 


162.530 


224,710 




163,400 


14,200 


Cattle and Calves, 


360,000 




29,000 


12, 10 J 




Hav, 


1,229,000 


800,000 


40.000 


1,120,000 


40,000 


Hogs, 


20,003 


20,000 


60.000 






Horses, 






6.000 


12,000 




Lumber, 






20,000 






Stone. 


80.000 










Sheep, 


1.620,000 


2.840,000 


1,625,400 


4,043.600 


845,600 


"VV heat, 


558,690 


956.570 


124,6.0 


352,670 




Wool, 


8.360 


39,880 


76,520 


172,770 


74.170 


Merchandise, 


152,330 


220,000 


94,970 


174.8!;0 


224.850 


Totals,* 


4.190.910 


4,601,160 


2,076.560 


6.051.430 


698,820 






RESOURCES OF LIVERMORE VALLEY 



L1VERMORE. 



ARTICLE. 


1873 


1874 


1375 


1876 
736,7*i0 


1877 


Barley, 


1,356,800 


595,490 


717,400 


2,681,700 


Brick, 








2,0«,4O0 




Cattle and Calves, 


240,000 


464,500 


8:54.500 


777.500 


352,000 


Coal, 






346,220 


1.185.150 




Horses, 


32,500 


141.500 


134 00.) 


164.(100 


10 2.000 


Hay, 


4,040,000 


7,546,100 


1,840,000 


8,tj..0.000 


5, 1 1.100 


slides, 








33.010 


42.170 


Hogs, 




141,300 


133.800 


6;i,OuO 


49,1,00 


L timber, 






20,tW0 






Oats, 








136.700 




Sheep, 


4,140,000 


1,281,000 


30J.300 


2,6i0,000 


1,329,400 


Stone, 






£0.000 






Wood, 


505,000 


680,000 


184.350 


133,000 


4U.300 


Wool, 


62.170 


133,430 


'217.220 


U4.2f0 


218.910 


Wheat, 


1,151,590 


25,0)8.760 


20.177.5U0 


20.0.044U 


8. r 00. 2^0 


Merchandise, 


745,720 


959,360 


979,030 


1.835,510 


737.4-0 


j?lour, 








10,, 130 


21.100 


Sycamore Logs, 










172.610 


Totals. 


32 273.870 


36,991.580 


25,957.510 


39,599.950 


19.844.710 



PLEASANTON. 



ARTICLE. 


1873 


1874 


1875 


1876 


1377 


Barley, 


904.070 


2,863,4«,0 


776.640 


2,473.1:0 


2.982.«-,0 


Brick, 






3,833.430 


14,745,830 


10.<,0>).5f.O 


Cattle and Calves, 


20,000 




59,500 


1 18.500 


LOO. COO 


Coal, 








•22.870 




Gravel, 








49,i.:o 


CO.CCO 


Horses, 






64.500 


77.500 


149.500 


Hay, 


260,000 


480,000 


4,680,000 


1,320.000 


5,3-:o.[oo 


Hides, 








21.02Q 


15.840 


Hogs, 




20,000 


130,000 


84,800 


140,460 


Lumber, 


20,000 




£0.000 




40.000 


Mustard Seed, 






86,7'.;0 


4»,550 




Oats, 


81,320 


60,200 




77,110 


36.2{0 


Potatoes, 






111,250 




1S2.OC.0 


Rye, 


20,000 










Sheep, 






680.800 


628.800 


560,000 


Sand, 






140,000 






Straw, 




44,500 








Stone, 








£0 000 




Wood, 


360.000 


220.000 


240.000 


327.000 


240.000 


Wool, 


5810 


23,090 


45,340 


10 1 • 


49,110 


Wheat, 


9,367.100 


19.096,480 


13.001,090 


1 .',489.210 


5,01 ;.;;]!> 


Merchandise, 


828,360 


925,120 


411,170 




4I4.il'J 


Totals, 


It, 866,680 


33.732,860 


24.331.090 


33,011.720 


, 



FIRE INSURANCE. 



All things being uqual, it seems to be 
almost a duty for Californians to give 
their patronage to our State institutions, 
as by so doing, they not only encourage 
local enterprises, but retain millions of 
money for local circulation, that would 
otherwise pass beyond our borders, to en- 
rich other states and foreign countries. 
Our readers may be somewhat surprised 
when we inform them that over one mil- 
lion dollars per annum is drawn from the 
coin resources of this State by the Eastern 
and foreign fire insurance companies doing 
business here, while they do not contrib- 
ute one dollar in the way of taxes to the 
revenue of this State or county — while the 
California companies do contribute large- 
ly in the way of taxes. 

We have now several solid and ably 
managed local fire insurance companies in 
this State, many of theni of sufficient age 
to satisfy the most skeptical of their per- 
manency and worth. And of the entire 
list, the Home Mutual Insurance Company 
stands forth as the leader, in business, ex- 
perienced management, solvencv, and 
promptness in the adjustment and payment 
of losses. The Company has secured the 
very best underwriting talent to be found 
in the country, and the grand success met 
with proves that they have acted wisely. 

In October. 1874, the Home Mutual es- 
tablished a branch office in Oakland (for 
the better conduct of their business in Al- 
ameda and Contra Costa counties), under 
the management of Gen. R. H. Magill, 
who is said to have had the most exten- 
sive experience in the business, of any un- 
derwriter on the Coast, covering a period 
of over 27 years — and in a territory cover- 
ing all of the Western, Southern and Pa- 
cific States. Mr. Magill has resided in 
this county for the past eleven years, and 
is well and favorably known throughout 
the two counties he represents. And a 
very important matter for the considera- 
tion of insurers is that the gentleman is 

j.thorized to adjust all losses occurring 



under policies issued ttirough his Branch 
office. 

There are over 10,000 shares of the Home 
Mutual stock (representing $100,000 gold 
coin), owned in Alameda and Contra Costa 
counties. The net income from the busi- 
ness of the Branch is retained and invest- 
ed in these two counties — so that all think 
ing men will agree with us that it is desir- 
able and proper that the Home Mutual 
should receive their patronage. 

Gen. J. F. Houghton, the President of 
the Company, is a resident ot our county, 
and has expended largely of his ample 
means therein. L. L. Baker, of the firm of 
Baker & Hamilton, is the Vice President 
of the Company, while their Alamada and 
Contra Costa stockholders take rank 
among our best, strongest, and most influ- 
ential citizens. So that it will be noticed 
the Company is closely identified with the 
growth and prosperity of the two counties. 

Following is a list <,f the agents of the 
Branch, who report and do business 
through General Magill: 

Oakland, J. H. McAlister and Frank 
Childs. 

Livermore, J. L. Mitchel. 

Pleasanton, H, O. Weller. 

San Ramon, Leo Lynch. 

Danville, John Conway. 

Walnut Creek, Geo. Johnson. 

San Pablo, E. Marich. 

Washington Corners, Mortimer & Warn- 
sley. 

San Lorenzo, J. L. Shiman. 

Mount Eden, H, Peterman. 

Pinolo Landing, B, Fernandez. 

Martinez and Pacheco, for grain in ware- 
houses, E. E. Welsten. 

San Leandro, L. C. Morehouse. 

Concord, C. Rhine. 

Antioch, Baker & Oden. 

Point of Timber, I. Lipman. 

Martinez. O. Ed. Miller. 

Hay wards, L. H. Brown. 

Alvarado, W. Moiris Liston. 

Centreville, W. A. Yates. 

Alameda. E. Minor Smith. 

Terrili's Landing, Terrill Bro3. 



HORTOJI & KENNEDY, LIVERMORE, ALAMEDA COUNTY, GAL. 



LUMBER and SU1LI)B T G 

MATERIAL. 

THE FAMOUS 

Enterprise Perkins' Patent 
Windmills. 

PUMPS AND ~FEED MILLS. 

FKENTRESS' BARBKD WIRE FENCING, 
Wholesale and Retail. 

Goods shipped to al! point?. Please ad- 
dress for descriptive catalogues 
and pricey. See also 
back cover. 




ADVERTISEMENT. 




5 W ^ 





_j 








►ig) PROPRIETOR OF THE (^ 



LIVERMORE VALLEY 

FLOURING MILLS 



hg) AND DEALEB IN (gi« 



GRAIN, FLOUR, EEED, ETC. 



<=MMILLING DONE TO ORDER. W 



•^gJALSO BBALEK IN 



Hg 



OF IE VERY DESCRIPTION. 



A general Warehousing Business! 



Grain Bought at highest Market Rates. 
Special Inducements offered Regular Customers. 

C. J. STEVENS, 
MILL SQUARE, - • - LIVERMORE, CAL. 



ADVERTISEMENT. 




Q 




m§ 



iiUL 



Est; 



iral InsnrancB Asent. 



tiliee at C. P. B. B, Depot, ILiveriiiore, Cal. 



The following first-class companies represented: 
HOttE MUTUAL INSURANCE CO,, of 

ROYAL CANADIAN 
SOUTH BRITISH 



California 

Canada 

New Zealand 



STANDARD 

NEW ZEALAND 

PHCENiX " " 

CLENS FALLS 

CALIFORNIA 

PACIFIC MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, of 

Capital rcprcssniel oyer Twenty Million Dollars ! 



New York 



tl u 



California 



m- GRAIN IN WAREHOUSE A SPECIALTY.-^ 



Dwellings Insured for a Term of Years at E«ow Bates! 



Growing Grain, or Hay or Grain in Stacks, insured 

for short or long terms, from one 

month upwards. 



i\^ev\t foY sale o? Lois m ^V&tcrmai^s A&AUiou to 



TAxermorc. 



P O. Box 1C1.] 



ill J? CELL AX SOUS ADVERTISEMENTS. 



L. HKZ. CUTLER, M. !>., 



PERFUMEH )*, .^ : SCHOOL BOOKS, 

TOILET AUTIGLES, ^ : - ;j .,;\ "' • : KY, 

Violin and ttaitai (r^?:*,' 'sm^^^-'HlW Sewing; Machine Oil, 

Strings. -^f^v^iS^ An(I " n articles U9l,al ^ ke P l 

'"•w^;;' - ■."'•' ! ;. ilrugji ists. 

t«m Prescriptions Carefully Compounded> 3 *^-- 

FIItST STREET, opposite Bill! Square, I IVEKMOKEj CAT*. 



JL^l V JC IV IVi Vl^ Jlv JLlr 













ra 



SmbJ ^J 



W11DELL J3HDAI3, PROPRIETOR. 

FIRST STREET, NEAR K, - LITER-WORE, CAL. 



^LIVEHMORE SODA WORKS.^ 

Wallls & Co., Proprietors. 

FACTORY ON L STREET, BtlWEEM FIRST A.ND SliCOKD, LIVKEMORE, CAL. 

Soda, Sarsaparilla, and Ginger Ale, supplied at 

Short A'otlce. 

pjipFostal card orders promptly filled. 

22, w. graham: 
Undertaker nd Furniture Dealer. 

Justice of ilia Peace and Conveyancer. 

Collections and Ileal Estate transactions promptly 

itenrlecl to. 

ODD FELLOWS' BUILDING, LIYERMORE, CAL. 



% Iff BB® 9 H X €?; W A SP pi W[ 



J 



LIVERAIOkE, CAL. 



MORITZ HUPERS, - - Proprietor. 
IEAB.EST HO.l'SE TO HAILKOAO DEPOT.' 



MISCELLANEOUS ADVERTISEMENTS. 



m 







M ? 



-^§1 AND MANUFACTURERS OF j®r 



CARRIAGES and FARM WAGONS 

OF EVERY DESCRIPTION. 



■o- 



Pattvc\x\at Attention Pa\tt to t\\e Repair of Farming 

Machinery . 





n >)f U 




All kinds of Work in our line done 
Promptly and in a Work- 
manlike manner. 



TAYL01T& S;0N, 

MAIN STrfEET, - LIVERMD3E, CAL. 



MISCELLANEOUS ADVERTISEMENTS. 





DEALERS IN 



GENERAL 




MOD NEWSTO ALL ! 

> THE GREAT FLYING MARKET, 
GEO. W. 1.IXDY, Prop'r. 

After a successful business experience 
for the past eighteen years in Chico, 
Thoinpsou Flat, Oroville, Yuba City, 
Marysyille, Timbuctoo, Smartsville, Rough 
and Ready, Grass Valley, Nevada City, 
Sacramento, Stockton, Benic'.a, Martinez. 
Pacheco, Walnut Creek, Danvillp, Limer- 
ick, Dublin, Alamo, Pleasanton, Ellis, 
Bantas Station and Livermore, he feels 
confident he can please all. Give him a 
trial, and be convinced. To be found here, 
there, and everywhere, with the big red 
wagon, Livermore, Cal. 

Ranch for Sale! 



HAY, GRAIX, FEED, Etc., 



Corner of First and L streets, 



kiuermor#, Gal. 



Agents for a number of the best insur- 
ance companies in the country. 



filVE US A CALL ! 



Anspacher Bros. 



One-half or the whole of a ranch of 320 
acres. Best quality valley land. Only 
one and a half miles from Town of Liver- 
more. Good house and out-buildings on 
each quarter-section. Water within twelve 
feet of surface. New board fence around 
entire place. Adjoining ranch sold last 
year for $60 per acre. Price, $50 per acre, 
including improvements. Terms easy. 
Call upon or addresss. 

W. P. Bartlett, 
Pub. Herald, 
Livermore, Cal. 

F. A. A N tTo¥V^ 

MANUFACTURE!* OF 

Tin, Sheet-Iron. & Copper Ware, 

AND IMPORTER AND DEALER IN 

Hardivare Stoves, Ranges, and 

stamped Goods , Iron Pipe, 

Pumps, Etc., Etc. 

tW Special attention to job work. 

iuniEAJiY, 

Dealer in 

Fresh and Smoked Meats of 
Every Description. 

LIVERMOR E, C A L. 



LAW OFFICE 

OF 

Elliott Ail bury, 

E^"* First Street, next to Odd Fat-LOWd" 
Hall, LiveujIuke, Caju. 



MISCELLANEOUS ADVERTISEMENTS. 



THEO. CORNER, 



^Manufacturer of 



and DeaVev \v\ 




COLLARS, 

BRIDLES, 

WHIPS, 

BITS, 

BLANKETS, 

ROBES, 

SPURS, ETC, 

Repairing and jobbing pertaining to the business done with promptness and dis- 
patch at most reasonable rates. A full stock of driving and working gloves con 
stantly on hand. Ladies driving gloves a specialty. 

LIVEBMORE, CalifcrEia. 




DEALER IN 



>rYatc\i€s, Je^veVry, SW\erware, Clocks, 2NIus\ca\ In 

strumeftts, TioViw auA Guitar Strings, GroVA 

Peus and Pen-\io\Aers, Ladies 

and Gents' YJ atcVi 

C\\a\ns, GoVA 

Pencils. 



Repairing Done at Short Notice, and all Work Warranted. 
Sewing Machine Needles and Attachments. 

First Street, (south side), opposite Fashion Livery Stable, Livermore, Cal. 

MAGNOLlXSALOO^ 

MILL SQUARE, 

LIVERMORE, ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. 

Choice Wines, Liquors, and Oigars. Home and Foreign Beer on Draught. Finest 

Iced Drinks. Jgf" FREE LUNgH. 
F. SCIKENSTEDT Proprietor. 



MISCELLANEOUS ADVERTISEMENTS. 



JAS. O'BRIEN, 





~& AND (gi— 



A FULL 
STOCK OF EAR- 
MESS, SADDLES, BRI- 
DLES, COLLARS, BLANKETS, 
ROBES, WHIPS, BITS, SPURS, ETC., ETC., 
CONSTANTLY ON SAND, AND FOR SALE AT 

REASOMBIE RATES! 

Having been in the Harness Business, in Liver- 
more, for upwards often years, my work and goods are 
well known to the farmers of this section. 

MILL SQUARE, LIVERMORE. CAL. 



»~5) DEALER IN (g^ 



P 



BOOTS & SHOES, 

HATS, CAPS, and GENTS' FURNISHING 
GOODS ; BOOKS, PERIODICALS, STA- 
TIONERY, TOBACCO, CIGARS, 
C UTLER Y, ETC., ETC. 

E^ST Boots and Shoes made to order. Agent for ,l S. F. Chronicle" and "Post." 
Agent for Singer Sewing Machine. FIRST STREET, opposite ODD FELLOWS' 
BUILDING, Livermore, Cal. 

LIVERMORE HOTEL, 

AUGUST MUELLER, PROPRIETOR, 

FIRST STREET, JJVERMORE, CAL. 

Bf" This is a first-class COUNTRY HOTEL, and your patronage is respect- 
fully solicited by the Proprietor. v 



THE LIVERMORE HERALD, 

A live, intensely local weekly — the only paper pub- 
lished in Murray Township. 



ADVERTISEMENT. 







ON THE 



Rancho el Yalle de San Jose. 



NOW OFFER FOR SALE 7,000 ACRES OF LAND, BEING A ^ORTTON 
of the above rancho, situated one mile south or the incorporated town of Li\ ' 
more, and four miles east of Pleasanton. Th e tract offered is composed of va 
and foothill lands, all under cultivation, and annually producing large cropg of 
cereals. The soils are reel clay, and a heavy, mellow, black loam. The last m 

tioned soil is the same as ihat on the best and highest-priced lands near Pleas- 
anton. 

The hilly portion of this tract being within the warm foothill belt, in which 
frosts are unknown, is admirably adapted for the production of corn, potatoes, frui 
and general crops. 

Situated as is this foothill land, at a considerable height above the Valley, it 
receives much moisture frojn fogs, which do not reach the plain below. It is there- 
fore much less effected by dry seasons than the Valley land. During the season > 
1876-7, the dryest ever known in this region, the tract in question produced a ver} 
fair crop — much better than higher-priced lands in the level valley. The entire 
tract of 7,000 acres had been surveyed into small parcels, of from 100 to 500 acres 
each, 

ACCORDING TO THE LAY OF THE LAND, 

And nearly every acre of it can therefore be placed under easy cultivation. 






PLENTY OF WOOD AND PURE WATER ON EVERY RANCH ! 



The tract is within a few minutes ride of churches, schools, postofflce, railroad, 
and every advantage of civilization. Less than three hours' ride from San 
Francisco. 



'Price, from $80 to #50 per Acre. Terms of Payment, 



easy 



Call upon or address, 

San Francisco, California. 
Or, JOS- F. BLACK, Proprietor, Ph'.-isanlon, Cal. 



MISCELLANEOUS ADVERTISEMENTS. 



T 



LAND for SALE ! 




HOTEL, 



LI VERM ORE, Cal. 



A. BARDELLINI, Proprietor. 

The Washington Hotel having been thor- 
oughly renovated in every part, is now 
open for the reception ot guests, both tran- 
sient and permanent. 

THE WASHINGTON 

is a strictly first-class House, and is con- 
ducted in a. manner second to none 
in the count}". 



TELE TABLE 

la first-class, the delicacies of the season 
being always provided. 



jj£§rTourists, travellers, or families wish- 
ing to spend the summer in the coun- 
try, will hod at the Washington 

all the comforts of a 
home.^Jgflj 



VALUABLE RANCH PROPERTY 

AND DESIRABLE TOWN 

LOTS, AT A BAR- 

G A IN. 



mHE UNDERSIGNED OFFERS FOR 
-*- sale the following property, at' fair 
prices, on reasonable terms: 



Situated in the centre of the Livermore 
Valley, and distant but two miles from 
the town of Livermore. A stream of 
never-failing water crosses the ranch. One 
of the bust paying ranches in the Valley. 
Will be subdivided, or sold as a whole. 



i 



In east end of Valley. Rich, deep soil. 
Large springs on the place. A vineyard 
of eight acres, just coming into bearing. 
Large dwelling house, and farm buildings. 
Fruit and ornamental trees. Only three 
miles from the town of Livermore. A 
great bargain. 



TOWN PROPERTY, 

Within the corporate limits of the town of 
Livermore, either in lots, or by the acre, 
to suit purchasers. 



A. BAIiJDEluJLItfl, Propr. 



For information regarding any of the 
above property, call on, or address, 

Wm. M. Mcndenhall, 

Livermore, California. 



MISCELLANEOUS ADVERTISEMENTS. 



D. A. lendenkS 



'? 



DEALERS IN 



STAPLE and FANCY DRY GOODS, 

Gloves, Hosiery, Notions, Millinery Goods, 

HATS, MEN'S and BOYS' READY MADE CLOTH- 
ING, GENTS' FURNISHING GOODS, 
BOOTS and SHOES, ETC., ETC. 



OUR MOTTO: 

The Lowest Price for Cash! 



BRICK BLOCK, LIVERMORE, CAL. 




9 




9 









— DEALER IN 



Groceries, Liquors, 

Crocker j, Hardware, 
Agricultural Implements, 

Iron, Steel, Coal, etc. 






9 



LIVERMORE, Cal. 



MISCELLANEOUS ADVERTISEMENTS. 



19 



Wagon and Carriage Manufactory and 

Machine Shop. 

GENERAL BLACKSMITHING. 

SPRING WACOKS, BUGGIES, AND FAMILY CARRIAGES OF MY 
OWN MANUFACTURE ALWAYS ON HAND. 

EVERY WAGON MANUFACTURED BY ME IS 
WARRANTED IN EVERY RESPECT. 

AW YmAs o? "Far mm* ana other Machinery RepaueA. 

MY PATENT SULKY IS THE EASIEST MADE. 

MAIN STREET, PLEASANTON, GAL. 



A 



i^ 



PLEASANTON, CAT. 

H. Detjens, Proprietor. 

The Germania is a firsi-class country Hotel, pleasantly situated in the center of 
the Town. 



'BMMIpii 



Wis-li^ 



DUBLIN, - - ALAMEDA COUNTY, CAL 

dight fully situated, and within a few minutes 
the county. Transient custom solicited. 

PETER LUYTEN, Proprietor. 



A first-class country Hotel, delightfully situated, and within a few minutes walk 
o \he linest canyon scenery in the county. Transient custom solicited. 



LA W OFFICE 

—OF— 

Elliott Aubttry, 

S^-First Street, next to Odd Fellows 1 Hall, 
LIVE RA1 ORE, CAL. 



N B. HOLMES, 

BLACKSMITH & WHEELWRIGHT, 

L STREET, LIVEKMORE, CAL. 

The repair of Farming Machinery a 
specialty. 



G- BENTON JARRETT, M. D., 
PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON 

OFFICE : 

opposite odd fellows' hall. 

LIVERMOPvE, CAL. 



C. L. McLEAN, 

SURGEON DENTIST. 

Office, Lizzie Street, 
LIVERMORE, - - - CAL 



MISCELLANEOUS ADVERSTISEMENTS. 



© 



'©i 



GRAIN DEALERS. 



A GENERAL WAREHOUSE BUSINESS. 



-O- 



For Sale, 

- SEVERAL PIECES OF 



CHOICE FARMING LAND 



In different sections of the Valley, and 



Within the Corporate Limits of the 

TOWN OF LIVERMORE. 



-o- 



For Information Call at our Office 

III CLAY STREET, SAN FRANCISCO. 

Or at MVERMORE. 



THE 











VALLEY. 



II 



| ; 




•S RESOURCES, SOIL, CROP STATISTICS. 
CAPABILITIES, CLIMATIC INFLUENCES, 
EARLY HISTORY, DEVELOPMENT, AT- 
TRACTIONS TO SETTLERS, OPPORTU- 
NITIES FOR MEN WITH LARGE OR 
SMALL CAPITAL, ETC., ETC. 



EDITED BY WM. P BARTLETT 



LI VERM OK K : 

LIVERMORE HERALD JOB PRINTING OFFICE 

MAIN STREET. 



1878. 



FIRE ItfSURAtfCE EXCLUSIVELY. 



ALAMEDA COUNTY BRANCH 



-OF THE — 




OF CALIFORNIA. 

922 AND 924 BROADWAY, OAKLAND. 

(Union Bank Building.) 



A few of the many reasons why this sterling company is entitled to the patron- 
age of Alameda and Oontra Costa property owners. 

1. Because the Home Mutual is purely a California company, confining its 
business to the Pacific coast. 

2. Because over 1,000 shares of the Company's stock is held by prominent 
residents of Alameda county. 

3. Because the premiums received through this Branch of the Home Mutual 
are retained and invested in Alameda county. 

f", 4. Because the affairs of the Alameda County Branch are under the direction of 
a Board of Trustees well and favorably known throughout Alameda and Contra 
Costa counties as gentlemen of stamina and thorough business accomplishments. 

5. ;Be&ause policies are issued direct from the Oakland office, without reference 
to San Francisco, tiiusniak'ingiithe insurance binding upon application. 

6. Because all losses occurring in this department are adjusted by the re 
Manager as soon.as.jr^Qrtejd, and are audited by the local Board of Trustees 
will naturally see justice done their neighbors. 

7. Bec.austeV'while the Alameda County Branch furnishes all the facilith 
advantages"©? £ Local Institution, it has the endorsement of the Home Mu 
large, the, company being responsible for each and every obligation of the Bi 

& Because the rates of the Home Mutual are based on a large experie 
the business, and are adjusted in each particular case in accordance with 
and justice, giving each applicant the advantages warranted by the security 
particular risk. . 0. 

9. Because the Home Mutual Insurance Company is a prompt pay 
meeting every just claim in a style satisfactory to claimant and community. 



•■•ent 
iio 



F. K. Shattuck, 
K. IS, Farrelly. 



• BOARD OF TRUSTEES 
A C. Henry, 
Jos. B. Marl in, 
Chauncey Tayloi, 



T. B. Simpson. 



V. D. Moody. 
W. B. Hardy, 



R. H JI AU I LL, Manager 



,J L MITCHEL, 

Agent Livcrmore. 
H O WELLER, 
Agent Pleasant.on. 



THE 



IVERMORE HERALD. 

o 

A bright, spicy, and intensely local 

weekly paper, 

DEVOTED TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE 

INTERESTS OF THE SECTION OF 

COUNTRY WHICH IT 

REPRESENTS. 



INDEPENDENT, EVER! NEUTRAL, NEVER! 

THE OXIiY PAPER PUBLISHED' tS MURRAY TOWN- 
SHIP. 



TERMS, $3 PER YEAR. 



W. P. BARTIFTT, Editor and Proprietor. 

PALACE HARNESS SHOP 

GARDEMEYER'S BRICK BUILDING, LIVERMORE. 




Harness, Bridles, Whips, Spurs, Bug: 
gy Robes, Gloyes, 

AND FINE ASSORTMENT OF LADIES', BOYS' 
AND MEN'S RIDING SADDLES. 

TRIMMING & REPAIRI\G DONE WITH NEATXESS & DISPATCH. 

J. P. MORETTE, 

AGT. 



ffOBTOJV $• KENNEDY'S 

ENTERPRISE PERKINS' PATENT SELF-REGULATING WINDMILL 



ILL 



THE BEST. 




SIMPLE, STRONG, DURABLE. 

Thousands in use doing; their work after years of wear and 
tear as perfectly as at first. 

roSITIYEl/V SELF-REUFL.ATINtf, 

And upon a plan that no other Manufacturers have a right to use. 
Also— Pumps, Feed Grinders, and Barbed Wire Fencing. 

JEST" Please send for Descriptive Catalogues. 

IIORTOX & KKWKDV. 

Livermore, Alameda County, California. 






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